POLICE are warning women to be on their guard after two bag snatching incidents in the county.

In the latest incident, a 74-year-old woman was walking home from shopping along a footpath that runs parallel to Queens Road, New Romney, between 4.45pm and 5.55pm on Thursday.

A boy tried to wrestle her hangbag from her, but she swung a heavy shopping bag with him and he fled empty-handed. The woman fell during the attack but was not badly hurt.

The boy is described as aged between 14 and 16, 5ft 1in tall, of medium build with collar-length blond hair. He was wearing a turquoise short-sleeved t-shirt.

In the other incident, which took place on Tuesday, August 7, a 55-year-old woman was at her front door in St Nicholas Street, Littlestone, near New Romney, when she had a shopping bag containing her handbag snatched from her hand.

The offender, who is thought to be male, was aged between 15 and 17, 5ft 9in tall and wearing a black hooded top.

PC Will Glennie, neighbourhood officer for New Romeny said: "These are two unpleasant attacks on ladies on their own."

Anyone with information is asked to contacy police on 01303 289180 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.