THIEVES are stealing pub and club-goers’ belongings while their backs are turned.

Police in Maidstone are now warning revellers to take extra care of their belongings as criminals increasingly seize the opportunity to take them.

Sgt Richard Wingett, in charge of policing in Maidstone town centre, said: “We have noticed a slight increase in handbags, wallets and mobile phones being stolen from pubs in the town centre.

“People go into pubs and clubs and they leave handbags lying about, and go up to the bar or off to the dance floor. When they come back, their purse or mobile phone has been stolen.

“It’s an opportunist crime. People have got to make sure their property doesn’t present a target for opportunist thieves.”

He added: “We are not saying this is of epidemic proportions but there is a growing trend here. We need to nip it in the bud.”

At least one venue in the town is taking action to keep customers’ belongings safe.

The Chicago Rock Cafe, High Street, is opening a free 'handbag cloakroom’ for the first time this weekend.

Customers will be able to leave valuables in the care of staff, returning as many times as they want to get cash out, without having to pay.

Manager Mark Brenton said: “We are lucky: we haven’t had that many thefts, and we have actually managed to catch a couple of people.

“It’s something that’s really hard to combat, so I think the best thing to do is to offer to look after them. It’s better than people having their handbags stolen.”

Anyone with information about town centre thefts is asked to call Maidstone and Malling Police on 01622 608189 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.