TWO elderly women have had bags snatched from inside their cars in separate incidents by the same man. The first happened at around 10.15am on Saturday, July 18, in Lodge Gardens, Harpenden, when an 87-year-old woman was parking her car on her driveway. A

TWO elderly women have had bags snatched from inside their cars in separate incidents by the same man.

The first happened at around 10.15am on Saturday, July 18, in Lodge Gardens, Harpenden, when an 87-year-old woman was parking her car on her driveway.

A man opened the passenger door and grabbed her beige leather handbag containing cash and cards from the passenger seat before running off.

The second incident occurred at around 1.25pm last Tuesday, July 21, in Burston Drive, Park Street, when the same man is believed to have parked up behind the 73-year-old victim's car.

He opened her passenger door, leant in and grabbed her black leather handbag containing a matching purse with cash and cards inside, together with keys and a cheque book.

The victim was holding the bag and a brief struggle followed until he eventually pulled it from her grasp and ran back to his car before driving off at speed. She was uninjured but shocked.

The suspect is described as being a white man, tall and slim with dark brown hair and aged between 20 and 29. He was driving a green car at the time of the second bag snatch.

Pc Karen Webb said the incident had been quite distressing for the victims and she urged anyone with information to contact police on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Police have issued advice to women motorists to keep their doors locked while inside their vehicle, always try to park underneath a street lamp in the dark or in a well-lit area and keep credit cards separate from cheque books.