Police will be patrolling supermarkets in Braintree following a spate of purse thefts.

Thieves stole a purse, containing £200, bank cards and personal ID cards, from an elderly woman while she was shopping in Morrisons, in Rayne Road, Braintree, between 11am and 12.05pm on Tuesday.

Two days later, another purse was stolen from a woman’s handbag while she was shopping in Sainsbury’s, in Tofts Walk, Braintree, at about 10.30am.

The woman only noticed when she went to pay for her shopping and realised her handbag was unzipped and her purse was missing.

She did not notice anyone bump into her.

Neighbourhood Constable PC James Draper along with PCSOs patrol the supermarkets in upcoming weeks, giving advice to shoppers who have left personal belongings unattended and reassurance to those within the supermarkets.