Bag snatchers are targeting shoppers in Banbury -- and police are warning that organised gangs are in town.

Bag and purse thefts have risen from about four per month to 32 in the last two months.

Town centre police sergeant Paul Whitty said: "This is an unprecedented increase. It seems that at least one organised gang is in town with the sole intention of thieving.

"We have been using uniformed and plain-clothes officers to fight this crimewave with the help of CCTV cameras and the shops' radio network. Arrests have been made but we do not seem to have got to the root of the problem."

Sgt Whitty added: "The robbers watch out for unattended bags and purses, and it takes just a few seconds for them to strike.

"Typical targets are bags on show on shopping trolleys, under tables in pubs and clubs, hanging on the backs of buggies, in staff rooms, and left in unlocked cars at petrol stations."

Now police are patrolling Banbury's streets issuing warnings to shoppers. Sgt Whitty said: "In two hours I spoke to half-a-dozen people who were carrying unzipped bags with purses on show.This crime is a miserable experience for victims."

Mother: give teddy back Bag snatch victim Lisa Nash has appealed to thieves to return a teddy bear given to her after her baby died.

Her baby died hours after being born prematurely, and the toy was given to her by the Horton Hospital, Banbury. Her bag was stolen in Bridge Street, Banbury, between NatWest and Littlewoods.

Mrs Nash, 33, said: "It was the only memory I had of my baby. I wish the thieves would leave the bag where it can be found so that I can get the teddy bear back."