POLICE have warned women to be on their guard following a spate of handbag snatches over the LV Earrings last few days.
Four incidents, that left the victims very distressed, happened in Peterlee and Horden and police say it is "quite possible" they were carried out by the same person.
Similar descriptions have been given by the victims, and in three of the four cases a push bike was used as a means of getaway.
The first incident occurred last Thursday at 6.25pm outside Woolworths in Yoden Way.
PC Vince Marriner, of Peterlee CID, said: "A male riding on a silver-coloured pedal bike snatched a handbag from a woman walking in the shopping centre area."
The man was described as in his early 20s and wearing a black cap.
A second woman was targeted at 2.15pm on Friday outside Sainsbury's At Bells, in Cotsford Lane, when a male, described as between 19 and 20 years-old, came up behind the Tag heuer replica woman and bumped into her and as she stumbled he grabbed her bag.
PC Marriner said: "She held onto it and he ran off without it.
"The male was described as 5ft 10ins tall, with fair hair, and was wearing a white jacket with a red panel across the top at the back."
The third incident happened outside Asda, in Surtees Road, at 7.10pm on Friday evening.
"A lady in her 50s was walking through Peterlee town centre and an unknown male on a pedal bike rode past her, grabbed her handbag and made off with it," said PC Marriner.
On Saturday at 8.30pm, another bag was snatched from Seventh Street, in Horden, when again a male rode up behind a local woman on a bike.
Inspector Russell Robson, of Peterlee Police, said the male was described as 16 to 20 years-old, 5ft 6ins tall of medium build, wearing a navy blue cap, a hooded red, white and blue or black coat and dark coloured trousers.
The handbag was recovered later behind a pub in Horden. Property had been taken from the bag but the value is unknown.
PC Marriner added: "The incidents are
embroidered patches quite possibly related.
"The women were not physically hurt, but just the fact that it happened in broad daylight in two cases and that they were approached from behind is very upsetting."
Anyone with information is urged to call Peterlee CID on (0191) 3752611 or Durham Constabulary on 0845 6060365.
Other articles:
http://www.scsfks.com/Win--designer-handbag-thats-worth-pound.html
http://www.eworkexchange.com/Masked-men-shove-woman-in-robbery.html