Police in Harrogate have reissued an appeal following two further incidents of handbags being snatched in the town.

It bring the total number of such incidents to four in the past eight days.

Officers are urging members of the public to be on their guard and are appealing for any information to help them catch the suspects.

In the third incident, at about 12.15pm on Thursday, a woman was walking along Regent Parade towards Westmoreland Street when a man cycled up behind her and snatched her bag, before cycling off towards Myrtle Square.

The bag is described as a bright blue Cath Kidston handbag with pink roses on it and small handles. It contained a red Cath Kidston purse with white dots on it.

The suspect in this incident is described as wearing dark clothing including a top with the hood up and he was riding a black bike.

The fourth incident happened at around 7.20pm on Thursday, when a woman was walking along a footpath between Trinity Road and the Prince of Wales roundabout when a man walking towards her tried to take her bag. The woman struggled with the man and tried to keep hold of the bag, but the handle broke and the man ran off with it.

The bag is described as black leather with a black and tan leopard print design on one side. It contained personal items including a black Lulu Guiness purse with a quilted lips logo.

The suspect in this incident is described as aged in his 20s, around 6ft 2install. He was wearing a dark coloured jacket and jeans.

Detective Constable Claire Brown, of Harrogate CID, said: “Although the victims in these incidents have not been threatened or hurt, the experience has naturally left them very shaken up. 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.”

Anyone who finds any discarded bags or purses matching the description of the stolen property is also asked to contact the police.