Two young women with a baby could be working as pickpockets in Braintree.

The pair may be to blame for a string of street thefts on Braintree women in the town yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Three victims had their purses - which contained cash and credit cards - stolen from their handbags in the Christmas shopping rush.

A Braintree police spokesman said: "It is believed they were all the victims of pickpockets. It has been on the increase in the town recently."

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