Warning After Thieves Target Elderly Shoppers

Thieves are targeting elderly shoppers in Market Harborough town centre to steal purses from bags.

There have been two thefts in the past week – on Friday an 80-year-old woman was targeted while in a shop on The Square – it’s thought her purse containing £50 was stolen after a woman distracted her when she bumped into her.

And on Tuesday afternoon a woman aged 85, who was visiting Market Harborough for the day, had her black leather purse stolen while in a shop on the High Street.

It contained very sentimental photographs, including of her late husband, the only one she had of her Grandmother, and the victim is appealing for any sightings of the purse, as it may have been discarded by the thief after money was removed.

Police are urging shoppers to keep bags containing purses zipped up and are appealing for anyone with information about the thefts to call them on 101.