TWO elderly women had their bank accounts stripped of [pounds sterling]300 after thieves targeted them in Harborough town centre.

The women were out shopping on Tuesday and Wednesday last week when they had their purses stolen from their bags.

Both led t5 tube had written their PIN numbers on pieces of paper and put them in their purses. This enabled the thieves to strip their accounts of about [pounds sterling]300 each.

Now police are warning shoppers to be extra vigilant following the incidents and are reminding people to make sure they never keep a record of their pin number in their purse.

They have teamed up with Harborough District Neighbourhood Watch Association to offer chains which can be used to attach purses to the Catalog Printing inside of handbags or clothing, making them more difficult to steal.

Insp Siobhan Barber, head of Harborough police, said: "Officers are doing all they can to target these criminals but the help of the public is needed to assist us in tackling this problem.

"By being vigilant, fitting a chain and a bell to your purse and reporting any suspicious activity, you can make life harder
embroidered patches for the opportunist thief."

Marion Lewis, chair of the Neighbourhood Watch Association in Leicestershire, said "We want to do everything we can to help reduce the numbers of these particular crimes.

"Thieves frequently target the elderly and vulnerable leaving people extremely concerned."

The chains, which cost [pounds sterling]1 or are free to victims of crime, are available by contacting Mrs Lewis on 0116 2222222, extension 3871.

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