WOMEN in Redditch are being warned to be vigilant after a spate of bag snatches.

Three women were assaulted by a robber who managed to steal two of their handbags.

One of the women hung on to hers and pursued the offender who got away empty handed.

DC Lisa Kent from Redditch CID said: "The women were all approached from behind. One of them was in her seventies but fortunately was not injured."

The first robbery involving the pensioner took place on Thursday at about 3.30pm when she was walking towards the underpass at Millsborough Road, Smallwood, near the steps leading from B&Q and Matalan.

A young white male, dressed in dark colours, snatched her bag then ran off up the steps towards the rear of B& Q.

The next day at about 4pm a man aged about 18 and similarly dressed, ran up behind a woman walking her dog along Barlich Way in Lodge Park and attempted to snatch her handbag.

This time the woman hung on to it and chased the man a short way back towards the town centre before losing sight of him.

Later, at about 4.20pm, another woman was robbed when she was walking along Mayfields in Southcrest.

The man ran off into Greenfields. Police, who are linking all three incidents, are appealing to anyone with information to contact Redditch CID on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.