PURSE thieves have targeted three elderly women in Worcester.

South Worcestershire police have issued a warning to shoppers after a string of thefts in the city centre yesterday.

The first victim was shopping in Bon Marche, Friary Walk, CrownGate at 2.45pm when she felt someone bump into her. Shortly after she realised her purse - containing £7, a debit card and bus pass - was missing from her bag.

The woman who bumped into the victim is described as of Asian origin, thought to be in her 30s, of medium build with fairly long dark black hair tied back. She was wearing a long, fawn, sari-style dress.

The second victim had a purse - containing £160 cash and her Australian driving licence - taken in the meat section in Iceland, Friary Walk when someone bumped into her and then apologised. The victim was in Worcester visiting her son for a holiday.

The purse was in a bag on top of a shopping trolley and it was not discovered to be missing until the victim went to pay at the check-out. The theft occurred shortly before 3pm and the woman who bumped into the victim was described as of Asian origin.

The third victim was buying a book in the Age Concern charity shop in Mealcheapen Street at about 3pm when she realised her purse was missing. It contained £35 cash, loyalty cards and a photograph of her late husband. She does not recall being bumped into at any time before she discovered the theft.

A spokeswoman for South Worcestershire police said: "These incidents were extremely distressing for all three female victims.

"Callous opportunist thieves need only a few seconds to cause this type of misery and we are asking everyone, whatever their age, to take extra care that they protect their personal belongings at all times when out shopping."

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the areas around that time are asked to contact police on 08457 444 888 quoting 476S/190607; 416S/190607 or 431S/190607.