SHOPPERS are being warned to stay vigilant after two purse thefts took place in South Worcestershire within the last week.

The first incident took place in Past Times on Worcester High Street at around 4.45pm last Thursday.

The victim was queuing to pay at the till with a number of women stood behind her. As she reached into her bag to get her purse it had gone and the women were no longer in the shop.

The purse was black with a zip on one side and a popper on the other. It contained top-up cards for Vodafone and T Mobile, a bus pass, photographs and £50 cash.

The second incident took place at The Card Factory, Bridge Street, Evesham, at around noon on Monday.

The victim was 'jostled' by a woman and shortly afterwards discovered her purse was missing from her handbag.

It was black, from Next, and contained a driving licence, an HSBC card and a Morrisons card.

A police spokeswoman said: "We would like to remind shoppers that they should ensure that their purse, wallet or handbag is secure at all times.

"Large amounts of cash should not be carried and people must never keep PIN numbers with their bank cards. We would advise keeping purses or wallets in a bag at the front of the body so that it is close to you at all times.

"However, if a handbag is used, keep it zipped up or firmly fastened and push the purse to the bottom of the bag or place it in an inner compartment.

"It can only take a few seconds for a thief to act."

Anyone with any information on the thefts or saw anything suspicious in either of the shops at the times of the thefts should contact police.,p> Call 08457 444 888, quoting 0481/S/170108 for the first incident and 439/S/210108 for the second.

Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.