Shoppers are being warned by police to take extra care with their belongings in the pre-Christmas rush, after a spate of purse and wallet thefts in Westbury and Warminster.

Thefts have occurred while shoppers have been distracted on several occasions in the last month, including two incidents last Saturday.

In one, at Morrisons in Westbury, the purse of a 91-year-old woman was stolen from her handbag in the trolley she was pushing at 1pm.

Police were called to an incident at a similar time at the Morrisons in Warminster, where a 60-year-old had her purse stolen from her bag, also left in a trolley.

Inspector Alan Webb said: “I would ask everyone to be especially vigilante. Comm-unity Beat manager Sam Withy is leading Warminster Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) response, with additional patrols and provision of purse chains.”

Sam Withy said: “We will be sending PCSOs to the supermarkets at various times over the next month and they will be handing out purse chains and providing a visible presence.

“The main thing for shoppers is to be aware that thieves see Christmas as an ideal opportunity to strike and know people are often distracted and may easily fall victim to opportunistic thefts.

“Keep wallets and purses in a secure location, preferably in a zipped pocket, and don’t leave belongings on top of shopping or unattended.”

PCSO Jason Greenland will be at Warminster Market today if anyone wants to to speak to him or get a chain.