Christina’s first reaction was to go after the hooded figure, but she hadn’t seen what he’d been up to and, when she saw her handbag still on the front seat, thought he had maybe just looked inside the car.

It was when her 10-year-old boy Nathan told her seconds later that the man had had his hands inside her bag that she checked and found the purse, containing £280 in cash, was missing.

Christina shouted to a man and woman heading for the store that the male passing them had just stolen her purse and the man gave chase.

As the thief fled, the unknown man in full pursuit picked up two Asda employees who were putting trolleys away and the three have-a-go heroes set off after the fleeing hoodie.

They chased him around the back of the Comet store and down Douglas Road before finally catching up with him in Kemnay Gardens when he was the first to wilt in the half-mile pursuit.

He threw the purse at the three men and told them that was all he had. Unfortunately, it later transpired that he had managed to quickly rummage through it immediately after leaving Christina’s car and had apparently hidden the cash in his clothing.

Despite emerging from the episode seriously out of pocket, Christina, who lives in Douglas, was still thankful for the intervention of the three men which at least ensured she managed to get all her bank cards and personal details back.

She said, “I’m very, very grateful but I didn’t get their names and I didn’t have a chance to thank them properly. The only thing I could think of doing was thanking them through the Tele.

“I was struggling to get Sasha in her seat when the man opened the front door. Nathan said he told him not to tell his mum what was happening and he then apparently just helped himself.

“One of the Asda men said he appeared to be a junkie as he had needles on him. If the three men are reading this they should feel proud of what they did.

“I don’t normally carry around that much money, but I was due to go to a christening the following day and had to pay a photographer so I’d just got the money out of the bank.”

Asda said the actions of their employees were praiseworthy, but not necessarily something the company wanted to encourage.

“They acted on their human instinct and went after the thief when they heard the shopper shout because they wanted to help her,” said a spokeswoman.

“However, our main concern is for the safety of our employees and customers in a situation like this.

“We are doing all we can to help the police in their inquiry.”

Tayside Police said they are investigating the theft, which occurred at about 6.30pm in the Asda car park on Saturday.

The force issued a description of the thief. He is said to be around 5ft 10in tall with brown hair, of average build and in his late 20s or early 30s. He was wearing a dark blue hooded top and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tayside Police at their West Bell Street HQ or speak to any officer.