FOUR handbags have been snatched from women in a North Yorkshire town within eight days.

The bags were stolen in Harrogate and in three cases were taken by a man on a bicycle.

On Thursday, December 18, a woman was walking along Regent Parade at 12.15pm when a man cycled up behind her and snatched her bag. He wore dark clothing and was riding a black bike. The bright blue Cath Kidston handbag, with pink roses on, contained a red and white polkadot Cath Kidston purse.

On the same day, at about 7.20pm, a woman was walking along a footpath near the Prince of Wales roundabout when a man walking towards her tried to take her bag. She tried to keep hold of it, but the handle broke and he ran off with it.

He was described as aged in his 20s, about 6ft 2in tall and wore a dark jacket and jeans. The bag was black leather with a black and tan leopard print design and contained a black Lulu Guiness purse with a lips logo.

It comes days after a woman in her eighties had her blue leather handbag stolen by a man who pulled it from her arm as he rode past on Tewit Well Avenue and a similar incident on December 13, where a 28-year-old woman had her bag stolen by a man on a bicycle near The Stray footpath.

Police are appealing to any witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact them and would also like to hear from anyone who finds any discarded bags matching the descriptions.

Detective Constable Claire Brown of Harrogate CID said: “It’s vital that we catch whoever is responsible and I urge anyone who may have information that could help our investigations to get in touch.”

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Harrogate CID or email; claire.brown@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.