WARNINGS have been issued to shoppers in Dewsbury after a double purse-pinching incident.
The two offences happened within minutes of each other at the market on Cloth Hall Street on Wednesday morning.
In the first case a 79-year-old woman had a purse snatched from her pocket without noticing.
Pension cards, prescriptions and family photos were taken.
In the second incident a 70-year-old woman's bag was unzipped and her purse was removed. It contained credit and debit cards and a small amount of cash.
Sgt Jim Carter, of Kirklees CID, said: "In both these cases, the victims did not see who had taken their property, which shows how adept they are at carrying out this type of crime.
"We are appealing for information about what happened, but more importantly we are asking people to be aware that there seems to be a trend for people targeting shoppers."
Anyone with information should call Sgt Carter on 01484 436675 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
