TWO elderly women have been the victims of purse thieves while shopping in Dorchester charity shops.

Police are warning people to be extra vigilant on market day when crowds increase in the town.

PC Kevin House, of Dorchester Police, said thieves struck in two different charity shops.

He said: "It's very distressing especially for older people. One of these ladies was over 90.

"It could be that people are coming in to town to steal and it's easier for them to do that where it's busy in places like charity shops and the market.

"They might be working a distraction technique where one person gets talking to someone and another dips into a handbag. You may not realise what's going on until later when you go to pay and the purse has gone.

"Wednesday is always extra busy in Dorchester because of the market and I urge people to always take care with their possessions especially bags and purses.

"What might seem like someone in a crowd bumping into you could be a thief taking a purse out of your handbag."

PC House, who is leader of Dorchester's Safer Neighbourhood Team, said he would be distributing posters in the town to highlight the problem of handbag thefts.

He said: "Supermarkets are another area where people need to be more vigilant. Shoppers seem to think they can put their items in a trolley and they're safe. But they make it easy for a thief.

"I often walk through a supermarket and I always see a handbag that could be stolen."

Police advise shoppers to keep bags closed, make sure purses cannot be seen and leave valuables at home.