Purse chains are being offered to shoppers after pickpockets nabbed a total of 44 purses in one Kent town.

The rise has prompted police to step up a campaign urging shoppers to keep their bags safe.

Uniformed officers will be patrolling hot spot areas to deter thieves and offer crime prevention advice and purse chains to shoppers.

Of the 44 thefts in the past four weeks, 36 have been from women aged between 56 and 86.

Urban Neighbourhood Inspector Adam Jones said: “We want to appeal to both shoppers themselves and those with elderly relatives, who may be vulnerable.

"Thieves are targeting mums with pushchairs and also elderly females, particularly in shoe and clothing stores, when bags are likely to be left unattended."

Free purse chains are available from Maidstone Police Station in Palace Avenue and can also be bought from any shoe repair shop or hardware store.

&149#: For the full story, with advice on preventing thefts, see the Kent Messenger website.