LONE women drivers are being targeted at traffic lights in Huddersfield.

Thieves have attacked cars as the drivers pull up, smashing windows and stealing property.

Two women fell victim at Edgerton – and the detective in charge of hunting down the thieves believes more could be at risk.

Det Insp Mark Truelove said: “We have had two such incidents in the past few days and they are shocking crimes for the victims.

“There have been two so far and my gut instinct is there could be others unless we catch them.

“We believe these gangs are loitering at the traffic lights on the lookout for likely victims, and other drivers must have seen them.

“It’s important to let people know about them so reasonable precautions can be taken.

“Many women put their handbags on the passenger seats and that is what they are after.”

Both crimes have been in broad daylight, in the early afternoons.

In both cases, woman pulled up at the lights at the junction of Edgerton Grove Road and Halifax Road and were terrified as thugs smashed the windows to grab property.

The offenders, who escaped on foot, had been seen hanging around in the area a short time before committing the offences.

One offence was on Edgerton Grove Road on December 30. A woman pulled up at the traffic lights and had a bag stolen from the car after the thieves smashed a window.