POLICE are warning people to be on their guard after a spate of pickpocketing.

The latest incident took place in Penistone Road, Waterloo, at 2.30pm last Friday.

A woman of Eastern European origin approached an elderly lady and asked if she had any change.

The woman then took the purse from the elderly lady as she struggled with shopping.

The woman later discovered her credit cards had been swiped and used at shops in the town centre.

Det Con Russ Conlon from Kirklees CID said: "In the latest incident which occurred an elderly lady was targeted.

"The woman who committed the offence is described as 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, Eastern European looking, olive skinned in her early twenties with long black hair and she spoke with an Eastern European accent.

"We would advise people not to give change to strangers and not to hand their purses or wallets over.

"We would also ask people to keep their purses and wallets in a secure place."