A suspected thief was confronted as he rifled through the contents of handbag that had been left on the back seat of an unattended car parked near the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton while the owner was inside making a delivery.

A woman and her husband had parked on Church Street to make a delivery to the cathedral and returned a short time later on Monday afternoon to find a man going through a handbag, according to Police.

The couple confronted the suspect, who walked off. The handbag was then checked and it was discovered that a maroon leather purse containing $60 cash, $60 and some personal items was missing.

The suspect is described as a light-brown skinned man, around five feet, nine inches tall, of medium build wearing a black, short-sleeved t-shirt and long blue jeans.

He is said to be around 35 to 40 years-old, balding with some grey hair and had a moustache.