Police step up patrols in Harborough to catch bag thieves and warn them 'we will stop you and we will find you'

Officers are now working alongside Northamptonshire Police and British Transport Police (BTP) in a bid to stop the gang.

Police will be carrying out more patrols in Harborough as well as overt and covert surveillance on trains in to the town.

The special operation is being launched after five women have had their handbags grabbed from town centre car parks in the last few weeks.

Insp Siobhan Gorman, head of Market Harborough police, said: “We are going to be working closely with BTP and our colleagues in Northamptonshire to catch these criminals.

“We are sending a clear message to the offenders – we will stop you and we will find you.”

She said both uniformed and plain clothes officers will also be out in real force Harborough as well as Lutterworth in the busy run-up to Christmas.

“We want to reassure people who live and work in our towns that our officers will be out there helping to protect them and deterring criminals.

“But please make sure that you keep all your valuables – such as handbags, wallets and purses – safe and secure at all times,” said Insp Gorman.