POLICE are today increasing their patrols around Ipswich following a series of bag snatches.

POLICE are today increasing their patrols around Ipswich following a series of bag snatches.

Officers are warning people to be on their guard and they are stepping up their high visibility and plain clothed patrols after several incidents occurred, including three in the St Margaret's ward area since Thursday.

The first incident occurred in Cobbold Street at about 7pm last Thursday. A 57-year-old female was walking to bingo when a person ran up behind her and grabbed her bag, causing her to fall to the ground. The victim was dragged backwards a short distance before she released her grip and the thief made off with her black leather bag.

A number of people stopped and asked if the woman was alright, including a young black boy, between 10 and 12 years old wearing a fleece-style hooded top with the hood up, and a foreign man.

The second incident happened in Blanche Street at about 6.45pm on Saturday. A 35-year-old woman was walking along when a man crossed the road towards her, grabbed her bag and pulled her to the floor. The victim refused to let go and kicked out at the culprit who ran off towards Samuel Court empty handed. The attacker is described as white, aged mid 20s, 5ft 8ins, slim build and was wearing white shell-suit bottoms, a dark sweatshirt, a dark scarf tucked in to the sweatshirt, trainers and a white hat.

At about 6pm the following day a 56-year-old woman was walking along Hervey Street with a friend when two men approached her from behind and grabbed her bag. The victim spun around and the thief pulled on her bag again, causing it to break free. The pair then ran off with the black tasselled bag towards Cobbold Street.

Both men are described as white, 19 to 20 years old, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 6ins, with a slim build. One was wearing a black tight fitting jogging top with the hood up and black jogging bottoms and the other has a baggy grey jogging top with blue stripes on the arms.

A police spokeswoman said: “All three of the victims sustained minor injuries and were left extremely shaken by their ordeal.”

Police are urging anyone with information about any of these incidents, particularly the two males who stopped to assist the first victim, to call Dc Sam Abbott at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.