Police in Witney have concluded an operation in the town centre to crack down on purse and bag thieves.

The operation involved high-visibility and reassurance patrols around the town centre, following a number of purse thefts and a recent bag snatch in the town.

Over the course of the two-week long operation, officers spoke with 45 members of the public about insecure property and gave them crime reduction advice.

Plain clothed officers also carried out covert operations and, as a result, a 25-year-old man has been charged with two counts of shoplifting and one count of snatch theft.

Leighton James, of High Street, Witney, is alleged to have snatched a handbag from a 77-year-old woman outside Sainsbury’s supermarket in Witan Way, Witney, on September 22.

James is also charged with shoplifting offences at the same supermarket, on September 16 and September 22, where he allegedly stole alcohol from the store.

James appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he was remanded to appear back at the court next month.

Inspector Mark Johns, of Witney police station, said: “We understand that this type of offence causes concern, especially to the more vulnerable members of the community.

“I am really pleased with the success of the operation.We have increased our patrols in the town centre area, providing significant reassurance to the public and have charged a man with a number of offences.”