PICKPOCKETS have been operating in Kidderminster and police are urging shoppers to take extra care to guard their purses and wallets.

Two purse thefts occurred within 40 minutes as the victims shopped in stores in the Rowland Hill Centre and the High Street.

In the first incident, which happened on Tuesday last week between 12.20pm and 12.45pm in the centre's Bon Marche store, a woman's bag was unzipped and her black purse, containing cash, bank cards and a wedding ring, was stolen.

Between 12.50pm and 1pm on the same day, a woman had her brown purse, containing cash and credit cards, stolen from her bag as she looked for bargains in Etam's sale.

Police are anxious to trace a woman who bumped into the Bon Marche shopper, who they believe might be connected to the theft. She was described as white, 5ft 6in, with a large build, tied-back brown hair and was wearing a white top.

"We are appealing to anyone who noticed this female or has any other information to get in touch," said a police spokesman.

Anyone with information should call Kidderminster police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.