POLICE are warning shoppers in Woodbridge to be on their guard after purse dippers struck in the town.

POLICE are warning shoppers in Woodbridge to be on their guard after purse dippers struck in the town.

Three women had their purses taken from their bags over two days.

A 72-year-old woman had hers stolen as she shopped in The Thoroughfare around 11.15am on Wednesday , discovering as she went to pay for goods in the Co-op that her beige leather wallet, containing cash, cheque book and vouchers, was missing from her handbag.

On Thursday there were two similar incidents.

A 91-year-old woman was in The Thoroughfare around 10.35am when a woman described as slim and in her 20s brushed past her.

She later realised her small black handbag, containing cash and keys, had been stolen from another bag she was carrying.

Another woman had her purse stolen from her bag around 11.15am. The woman approached a police officer on patrol and said she had paid for items at the Turban Centre but when she went to another shop in The Thoroughfare she discovered her purse had gone.

She remembered a woman, white, around 5ft 4ins tall, with mousey coloured hair and wearing a full-length coat, bumping into her in the M&Co clothing store.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call Woodbridge police on 01473 613500.