Hampshire Constabulary

Officers are urging people in Portsmouth to come forward after two incidents where handbags were snatched.

At 5.15pm on Wednesday, December 17, a 51-year-old woman was returning from shopping with a friend and was outside of a block of flats on Grafton Street.

A man ran past and grabbed the woman’s handbag. She tried to hold on but the man pulled the bag away from her, hurting the woman’s wrist.

The bag contained £70 in cash, a mobile phone, three bank cards, a Marks and Spencers account card, a bus pass and a set of keys.

The man is described as:

• White
• Around 16 years old
• 5ft 4ins tall
• Wearing a black hooded top with the hood up

At 5.25pm on Wednesday, December 17, a 30-year-old woman was walking down Clarence Street, returning to her car after work, where it was parked in Victory Retail Park. She was carrying carrier bags and talking on her mobile.

A man walked towards her and grabbed her bag. The woman struggled against the man but lost her balance and fell over, and the man ran towards Commercial Road with the bag.

The bag contained a brown leather effect purse which had £17 in cash, two bank cards, a driving licence and an RAC membership card inside. The man is described as:

• Black• Aged between 29 and 33
• Between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall
• Large build
• Short cropped dark hair
• Wearing a three quarter length dark coloured coat, made of a wiry looking fabric, and smart dark trousers

Police are investigating the possibility that the incidents are linked.

Detective Constable Ian Cambridge said, “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen these incidents to get in contact with us as soon as possible. Additionally, we are reminding people to remain vigilant in protecting their belongings.

“There have been a number of handbag snatches in recent weeks, which have tended to occur between the hours of 5pm and 7pm, as people are returning home from shopping or work. The offender either approached from behind or come past the victim and grabbed the bag as they pass, surprising the victim.

“I would remind people to use bags that have straps which go over the body instead of being carried in your hand or on your arm, and not to carry large amounts of cash. Also consider using hidden or safety pockets for money or bank cards.”