Shoppers inTonbridge are being reminded to keep their valuables close by after a number of purses were stolen from elderly people shopping at supermarkets.

On November, 25 a 70 year-old lady reported her purse being stolen while it was in a bag that was hanging on a hook on a supermarket trolley.

Following swift work by security staff and the local police community support officer a 47 year-old man was arrested and later released on bail pending further investigation.

On November, 21 two men were charged with the theft of a purse from an elderly lady that happened earlier in the day.

The men were arrested, charged and appeared before court on November, 22.

One man was fined £100 and given a 12 month conditional discharge, and the second was made to pay a fine, compensation and costs totalling £402.

To help shoppers, PCSOs and staff from the community safety partnership are hosting a crime prevention event on December, 13.

"We have had some very positive results recently in terms of identifying people suspected of committing this type of offence" - Sgt Mark Ginsberg

Between 10am until 2pm staff will be at the mobile police station in Angel Lane to provide crime prevention advice and will also have a supply of free purse chains to give to shoppers. The chains help secure purses to handbags to make it more difficult for thieves to steal purses from bag.

Sergeant Mark Ginsberg from Kent Police said: "We have had some very positive results recently in terms of identifying people suspected of committing this type of offence.

"Shop staff, security guards, CCTV operators and police officers are all fully briefed and are on the lookout for people who are attempting to do this.

"To support us, shoppers can take simply steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Using a purse chain or keeping your purse in an inside coat pocket can make it difficult for thieves to strike.

"We would also ask that shoppers don’t leave handbags or purses unattended in shopping trolleys. It only takes a second for them to be taken and we want to make sure that this Christmas it is only the thieves who go without; not innocent members of the public."