Pickpockets alert after thefts at market (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Pickpockets alert after thefts at market

POLICE in Moreton are urging visitors the town's weekly market to keep a close eye on their valuables while they shop to avoid becoming victims of pickpockets.

In recent weeks a number of visitors to the market, held along the length of the High Street every Tuesday, have reported having items stolen.

In the most recent incident at this week's market, a woman from Worcestershire had her purse stolen from her handbag while walking from a stall to a nearby shop.

Bank and credit cards contained in the purse were later used to illegally withdraw several hundred pounds from the victim's account.

Despite this and similar incidents, crime levels at the market have traditionally been low - but police are keen to reduce them further.

North Cotswolds Inspector Bridget Woodhall said: "Members of the public and stall holders can help us to prevent further thefts by taking basic security precautions such as keeping purses, wallets and mobile phones in zipped bags or pockets."