STORE assistants in Kidderminster are being urged to keep an eye on elderly customers to help prevent them falling victim to purse thieves.

Police have asked shop staff to be vigilant in the wake of a spate of thefts over the past six months.

More than 30 of the thefts have been reported in town centre supermarkets and department stores since the turn of the year.

Victims have mainly been elderly women.

West Mercia Constabulary has stepped up patrols in the town and had warning posters put up in stores.

The force's North Worcestershire division is liaising with other divisions, as well as neighbouring forces, in a campaign to cut the number of incidents.

Kidderminster town centre beat manager, PC Clive Llewellyn, said: "Store assistants can be a big help by being vigilant and alerting shoppers if they see them with their bags open.

"Advising them to securely zip their bags reduces the opportunities for theft."

He warned shoppers to be particularly on their guard if someone bumped into or brushed against them.