Shoppers in west Kent are being remind to keep their purses safe after three thefts in two days.

Three people, including two pensioners, were targeted in Aylesford and Tonbridge between Sunday and Tuesday.

At 2.20pm on Sunday, a pensioner's purse was stolen from her handbag while in Sainsbury's at Quarry Wood, Aylesford.

A bank card from the purse was later used to withdraw a quantity of cash from an ATM outside the store.

Two days later, at 9.30am, a woman in her 70s had her purse stolen from her bag while shopping at Lidl on Quarry Hill Road, in Tonbridge.

Later that day, another purse was stolen from a shopping trolley in a car park on Swanmead Way while the owner was distracted.

Kent Police’s District Commander for Tonbridge and Malling, Ch Insp Rachael Cumberland said: "I would remind shoppers to be careful when out and about to avoid becoming victim to opportunist thieves.

"Ensure nobody is able to see your PIN when you use a cashpoint. Never leave handbags unattended on top of prams, shopping trolleys, wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

"If you have one, a purse chain can be an effective measure against thieves."

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact 01622 604100 quoting reference numbers 2-1072 and 4-0628 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

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