A THIEF who struck on a canal towpath may have committed a similar offence hours later.

A 21-year-old man was walking along Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath in Milnsbridge at noon yesterday, carrying a bag over his shoulder.

The thief was walking the other way, grabbed the bag and fled.

The victim chased him, but lost him on Manchester Road.

Then at 5.30pm a 42-year- old Barnsley woman walking on Quay Street, next to Huddersfield Broad Canal behind the Sports Centre, suffered a similar theft.

The thief grabbed her handbag and carrier bag, then ran off on the towpath, away from Huddersfield town centre.

He is white and in his early 20s, with brown hair.

He wore blue jeans and a faded denim jacket.