To catch a thief: Art teacher paints watercolour portrait from memory to help police

When portrait artist Serena O'Connor was asked for help in giving directions by a man in a supermarket she thought little of it.

But the next day she realised her debit card had been taken from her handbag during the encounter at a Tesco store in Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire.

But she then used her skills with the brush and pen to create a detailed watercolour of the man she'd encountered and promptly handed it into the police.

Serena, 51, who teaches fine art in Saffron Waldon, Essex, said: "I have a very good visual memory and do notice people's faces and what they're wearing.

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"As the time passes, the memory fades so four days later I decided to paint the picture in case I was asked for a description," she said.

Serena captured everything from the slight moustache to the bright yellow polo shirt the suspect wore.

Fortunately she also managed to cancel her card before any money was taken.

Pc Alex Swinborne, investigating, said: "The victim is a portrait artist and has produced a very good image which will hopefully help us track him down.

"I would urge anyone who recognises him to call police."

Anyone with any information should call Pc Swinborne on 101.

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