POLICE believe an organised gang of pickpockets and shoplifters is targeting elderly people in Consett and Stanley.

A number of thefts have occurred in the towns' shopping areas, particularly near charity shops, in recent weeks.

Detective constable Shaun Bailey, of Consett police, has urged elderly people and shopkeepers to be vigilant in the run-up to Christmas.

He said: "Thursdays seem to be a particularly bad day for these kind of incidents. The public need to be careful and I would urge anyone with any information at all to contact the police."

In one recent case, an emptied purse, which was stolen from a 67-year-old woman in Middle Street, in Consett, was later found in a nearby charity shop, confirming police suspicions that the thieves are targeting charity stores.

The purse, containing £17, was taken in the late morning of Thursday, November 22. Police are looking for a woman with ginger or brown hair cut in a short, curly bob. She was about 5ft 7in, medium and wore an earring, a three-quarter length light green raincoat and crocodile-type horn-rimmed spectacles.

Derwentside police can be contacted on (01207) 504204.