A POLITICIAN is urging people to make citizen's arrests on thieves who are targeting the elderly.

A team of purse-snatchers is stealing from pensioners in Thirsk and Northallerton on market days.

Vale of York MP, Anne McIntosh, is calling on locals to help the police tackle the problem.

She said: "This seems a particularly cowardly, mean and dastardly thing to do.

"I would urge the elderly to take care, but they should be able to go about their daily lives free from this threat.

"Every one of us should be vigilant too and people should make a citizen's arrest if they see it happening."

The thieves tend to strike mainly in Northallerton, but they have also stolen five purses in Thirsk this year.

North Yorkshire Police believe the crooks work in a team to steal the purses from open bags.

They also use ploys such as asking an elderly person to pass them something off a shop shelf.

Then when the person's attention is away from their handbag another of the team steals the purse.

Sergeant Ben Frank, of Thirsk Police, said: "It is a problem for us and we would urge people to take care.

"We are trying to raise the profile of this kind of crime so people can take steps to prevent it.

"It's a case of keep your handbag zipped shut and don't leave your purse on show and be careful.

"So far, we have had five stolen in Thirsk, equating to one a month, but that's one a month too many."

The police have put up posters in shops in both towns warning of the growing threat.

Sophie Davison, of Help the Aged, said: "We view the safety of older people and their right to feel safe as a basic human right and it is deplorable when that right is under threat.

"Fear of crime strips away older people's confidence to live independent and active lives.

"It is a sad fact that there are predatory individuals who will prey on older people who they believe to be an easy target."

Anyone who can help identify the thieves should call the police on 0845-6060-247 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111