POLICE are urging people to take extra care when they have valuables on them after three women all had their purses stolen from them in Trowbridge town centre.

Sometime between 5.15-8pm on May 14, a purse was stolen from a trolley that a woman was pushing in the town centre.

The same thing happened again with an elderly woman on May 16, between 11am-5pm, and to another woman, from her handbag, in Fore Street on Friday (May 18) from 2.15-2.45pm.

A police spokesman said: “Never leave your bags unattended, particularly on shopping trollies and be aware of people around you at all times. Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Keep it zipped up, and make sure your wallet or purse can’t be seen.

"Avoid carrying valuables or large amounts of cash and spread your possessions about.

“For example, consider keeping your mobile phone separate from your keys and your store or credit cards separate from your purse. Finally, never carry PIN numbers with any cards.”