Sinead Cusack's handbag snatched

Actress Sinead Cusack had her handbag stolen by a thief after leaving it in her hallway while she returned to her car.

The 53-year-old mother of two, who is married to fellow actor Jeremy Irons, put the bag inside the front door of her home in Holland Park before returning to her car for her dog. However when she came back, the bag containing cash and credit cards had gone.

A police spokesman confirmed a burglary report had been filed following the incident on Monday and added: "It only takes a second for a crime to occur."

The actress renowned for her powerful performances in the theatre won the Best Actress category in the Critics' Drama Awards for her role in Our Lady of Sligo in 1998.

Ms Cusack was also among an RSC delegation called before MPs last week to give evidence about plans to demolish the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon theatre. She joined RSC artistic director Adrian Noble before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee to discuss his plan for a " theatre village".