CRIMEBUSTERS are helping shoppers steer clear of purse thieves in Dorchester.

The town's crime prevention panel is urging people to take steps to avoid being the sneak thieves' next victim.

Jon Halewood, chairman of the Dorchester panel, said: "The typical victim of a purse thief is an elderly woman.

"It's extremely distressing, not just because of the money that is lost but because of the sense of personal invasion. And other items go as well that are of sentimental value and can't be replaced.

"There aren't many crime problems in Dorchester but these spates of handbag and purse thefts seem to be a constant issue.

"We want to make people more aware so that they can take steps to avoid becoming another victim."

Mr Halewood said the panel planned to produce leaflets to reinforce the message.

He added: "We want to remind people never to leave their bag in the trolley while they're shopping. You do see it where someone's got an open bag in the trolley but it's so easy to get distracted looking for something and a thief needs only a fraction of a second to act.

"Women need to make sure they always have their bags closed and their purses out of sight and then do that every time.

"Younger women become victims of thieves as well - and so do men. They'll get money out of a wall machine and walk off up the road counting the money, then put the wallet in a back pocket. It makes it easy for a thief to see that and take it."

Mr Halewood said he believed thieves targeted elderly shoppers because they were more vulnerable. But the panel's campaign aims to make it harder for thieves to pick out a victim.

He said: "It's a case of getting the message across to people to get into good practice while shopping every time."

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said: "We want to reduce the number of victims of any crime. I welcome any initiative that helps do that by bringing attention to the community that people need to look after their property and take steps so they don't become victims."