Police will be handing out free purse chains to shoppers in Maidstone to help combat thefts in the town centre.

It is in response to a spate of reported purse thefts from shoppers’ handbags.

On Tuesday officers will be at the Urban Blue Bus between 10.30am and 11.30am handing out metal chains (pictured) which secures the purse to the bags. The bus will be parked next to the Queen’s Monument.

Insp Dave Coleman said shoppers should be on their guard at all times.

He said: " If possible you should wear handbags across the front of the body and make sure they are zipped and fastened at all times.

"Never leave a bag either on a trolley or a pram as it only takes a second for a thief to strike. Shoppers should try to carry as little cash on them as possible and also keep their bank’s contact details to hand so they can quickly cancel any bank cards should they be stolen.

"There will be an increased policing presence in the town centre during the Christmas shopping period to provide support to both shoppers and shopkeepers.”