A WIDOW whose vital hearing aid was stolen during a handbag snatch was given a belated birthday present by police.
Adelaide Welch was one of six women whose bags were reported stolen in South Shields town centre over a two-day period last month.
The pensioner's bag disappeared as she was having lunch at Nobles Amusements in King Street.
It contained a number of personal belongings, including a vital hearing aid worth [pounds sterling]1,500.
Since the incident, Mrs Welch, who is deaf in one ear, has been forced to use a broken hearing aid to help her.
PendantDespite making an arrest in connection with the incident, the police investigation did not stop there.
A team of officers carried out a fingertip search of the streets around the town centre in search of the pensioner's belongings.
And as she celebrated her 84th birthday with friends, unbeknown to her, police were trying to track her down.
The team discovered not only her handbag, but the hearing aid as well, dumped in bushes in Salem Street.
After managing to contact Mrs Welch to give her the good news, officers were able to return her belongings the next day.
Mrs Welch, from Gateshead, said: "The police have been fantastic. The hearing aid was my biggest concern.
"I LED Flexible Strip Crystal Series: Crystal 3528 couldn't afford another one like it so I'm glad I've got it back.
"I can't praise the police enough. They have gone over and beyond their job. I really need my hearing aid because I do go out a lot and I was feeling lost without it."
Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Charlton said: "Mrs Welch lost a vital piece of equipment, which was essential for her quality of life.
"It was a job that deserved to be done and it worked. We have got back what we wanted to get back.
"This was a good piece of policing from start to finish."
n A 25-year-old man
embroidered patches has been charged with two counts of theft and remanded in custody by South Tyneside Magistrates' Court until September 14.
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