Melb woman sends kids to steal handbag

Police are concerned about the welfare of a toddler and five-year-old boy who stole a handbag from a Melbourne restaurant.

They say a woman and two boys went to a Southbank restaurant on September 12, and as she pretended to look for friends she said were already seated, the boys ran upstairs and snatched the bag.

First Constable Anthony Kilkenny says credit cards taken from the bag were used to make purchases at a number of stores.

"The actions that were taken give us cause for concern for the children's welfare as well as the obvious theft that has occurred," he told reporters on Thursday.

"We believe the children are aged between five and three based on the images we've seen on CCTV."

Police believe a second bag theft at another restaurant on Southbank the same evening may be linked to the trio.