POLICE are warning elderly female shoppers to be vigilant after a spate of purse thefts in Maldon.
Thieves used distraction and sleight of hand techniques to target five vulnerable residents over four days in High Street stores Iceland and Poundstretcher and the Morrisons in Wycke Hill.
Police Sergeant Benjamin Felton from Maldon police station told the Chronicle: "We have had five reported thefts of purses over a four-day period, between June 16 and June 19, including three in the High Street.
"Most of the victims were elderly women shopping alone and in some cases a distraction technique was used, or victims were targeted after using cash points in the town.
"Please be vigilant when using cash points and keep your handbag or purse close and in view at all times."
The first purse theft took place on Monday, June 16, at about 1pm in the High Street, when an elderly victim had her purse, containing £700, stolen by some form of distraction technique that police have yet to identify.
Then on Tuesday at 9am at the Poundstretcher store, a woman who had used a cash machine to withdraw money was followed into Poundstretcher by a man of "Asian" appearance who told her she had left a £10 note hanging out of the ATM.
When the victim opened her purse the suspect placed the £10 inside and tried to steal the woman's debit card.
The woman realised what was happening and the suspect dropped the card and walked off with another man.
On Wednesday, June 18, at 11am a victim in her 80s had her purse, which contained £51, stolen in Iceland in the High Street.
And at noon on Thursday, June 19, two purse thefts took place within minutes of each other in the Morrisons store in Wycke Hill.
Both of the victims were elderly women. One had her card used at a nearby cash machine shortly afterwards, meaning someone must have watched her entering her PIN number.
Sergeant Felton said: "If you find your purse has been taken please call police immediately or call if you see any offence taking place."
Anyone with any information should contact Essex police on 101.
