THIEVES who stole a mobile phone used it to post messages on the victim’s Facebook page and then tried to extort money from her are being hunted by the police.

Police have condemned the actions and are appealing for information from the public about the incident.

The 36-year-old victim, whose phone went missing when she was out in Darlington on Saturday evening, has condemned the culprits.

The victim, who is from Darlington and has asked not to be named, said she called the mobile phone when she had realised it was missing and spoke to one of the thieves, a male youth who had a local accent and sounded like he was aged 16 to 20.

After initially telling her she was not going to get her phone back, the the thief spoke to the victim’s husband, telling him the woman had given him the phone.

When the victim’s husband challenged this, the thief asked him for £300 to return the phone.

The victim and her husband talked to the male thief and a female associate, who also had a local accent, several times after this.

They were asked by the female for £500 for the phone when it emerged the phone had photographs of sentimental value.

When the victim logged on to her Facebook account, she found the thieves had written a status on her page, which said: “Had a really good night had to give rubber dingie my phone with a video we made”

(sic).

The police are hoping the nickname may help to identify the thief.

The victim said: “If the phone had been returned to me, I would have probably given the person a reward to say thank you. It is very upsetting and annoying the way this has happened. It is low and it is just unnecessary.

“How would they feel if this happened to their mum or sister?”

PC John Forster reminded people that if they found an item and kept it instead of handing it in or returning it, it was classed as theft.

He said: “The lady who had her phone taken is a hardworking, decent woman with a family. After a pleasant night out with friends, she has either had her phone stolen, or lost it and someone has picked it up.

“While the vast majority of people in Darlington would do the right thing and either return the phone to its owner or hand it in to the police, this person has tried to be clever, then tried to extort money out of her. It is a very low thing to do.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call PC Forster on 0345-60-60- 365.