Shoppers must be on their guard after purse snatchers struck in Clacton and Jaywick.

There were five reports of purses being stolen on Saturday and one report on Sunday.

In Tesco, a woman's purse was stolen when she got her glasses out of her bag. When she looked again, her purse was missing. It contained cash, cards and other personal items.

The thief is described as 22 or 23 and was about 5ft 3ins tall.

She was very slim and had dark straight shoulder length hair. She was also wearing a cream coloured poncho.

It happened on Saturday, some time between 4.10pm and 4.30pm.

In Marks and Spencer, Pier Avenue, Clacton, a shopper realised her purse was missing when she got to the till, at about 4.15pm on Saturday

In Great Clacton at the Somerfield store in North Road, a purse was stolen from a handbag. Police were called at 3.30pm on Saturday

Anyone with information about any of the thefts is asked to contact Clacton police on 01255 221312

Published Tuesday August 10, 2004

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