A number of items have been stolen during a "spate of purse dippings" in Dacorum.

Herts police have provided details of three incidents that took place in Hemel Hempstead.

All three incidents took place at the town's Marlowes Shopping Centre.

Firstly, a bag containing aftershave and clothing was taken at the centre's Caffè Nero coffee shop.

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This took place at 6.10pm on Friday, April 28.

Secondly, a purse was stolen from a handbag in the Marlowes Shopping Centre's Marks & Spencer store, between 11.15am and 12.10pm on Tuesday, May 2.

The handbag had been left in a shopping trolley at the location, while the purse was later found in Next, with the cash missing.

Lastly, a woman's purse was stolen between 11.45am and 12.15pm on Tuesday, May 9.

                                                                                            

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The incident took place while the victim had been shopping in the centre.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "We’re urging shoppers to remain vigilant following a spate of purse dipping offences in Dacorum.

"There have been several reports of cash being stolen from purses, which have then been found dumped.

"We’ll be increasing our patrols, but we’d also encourage people to take some simple steps to help keep their belongings more secure."

Crime prevention advice can be found on the Hertfordshire police website: www.herts.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention