POLICE investigating a spate of reported handbag thefts from elderly people have issued an appeal for witnesses and information.

Christchurch officers are investigating a total of five thefts, which are all said to have occurred between Friday, June 8 and Sunday, June 11 in local supermarkets.

On each occasion, the elderly victims told police they were distracted by two men while a woman took their handbag.

The incidents were in Sainsbury’s on Lyndhurst Road, the Co-op on Lymington Road, Marks and Spencer on Christchurch High Street, Lidl on Somerford Road and Waitrose at Bargates. The victims range in age from 76 to 91.

A 43-year-old woman from Romsey and a 22-year-old man of no stated address have been arrested. Witnesses should call Dorset Police on 101.