Police are asking members of the community to help make elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours aware that there have been a number of purse/handbag thefts in town centres, mainly within supermarkets and charity shops across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales. The victims are often elderly. Some offenders are described as being of Eastern European appearance.

Ask them to be extra vigilant and to be aware of people around them whilst shopping and to keep purses and handbags with them at all times and not left in shopping trollies.