POLICE are urging shoppers to be vigilant after three purses were stolen within two hours.
On Saturday, two women in Braintree were targeted by pickpokets.
At about 10.45am, a thief stole a woman’s purse, containing cash, cards and documents worth about £260.
They took it from her shopping bag, which was by her feet in Market Place.
About an hour later, another woman was targeted in Bank Street.
Thieves stole her purse with its contents valued at £80. She had been carrying it in a handbag on her shoulder.
In Witham, an elderly woman’s handbag and purse, which contained documents and cash totalling £60, were stolen from her wheeled shopping buggy.
Jan Klimkowski, a police spokesman, said: “Never let your handbag out of your sight and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. “
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