Heartless purse snatchers took hundreds of pounds from three elderly women as they shopped in Rayleigh town centre.

The gang, believed to be Eastern European and linked to other crimes in Rayleigh, stole purses from three women, aged in their eighties, as they were shopping in the High Street at lunchtime.

One 81-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, had her purse stolen as she visited Rayleigh Fruit and Vegetables and a charity shop.

Some £40 was taken from her purse.

Two other women, who were shopping together on Tuesday, were targeted while they walked through the car park to visit M&Co in the High Street.

One of the women, aged 84, had £80 taken from her purse and the thieves tried to use her bank card to take £200 out at Natwest bank, but they were unsuccessful.

She said she felt “a nudge” as she was shopping, but didn’t realise her purse had been taken until later.

The third woman, also 84, had £100 taken as well as priceless photographs of her family.

One of the empty purses was found dumped in a bin near the Pink Toothbrush nightclub.

Acting inspector Carol Lione, of the Rochford neighbourhood policing team, said purse snatchers always seem to target elderly women.

She said: “We see some of the elderly women who have got shopping trolleys with their open handbags put on top.

“We are asking these shoppers to carry their handbags over the shoulder.

“If they are drawing cash out, they need to be mindful of zipping up the bag and making it safe.

“They need to be carrying as little cash as possible.”

Det Sgt Lione added that they had no suspects for the purse snatchings yet, but they could be linked to previous shoplifting incidents where Eastern European suspects seem to be responsible.

She said: “We have had a few incidents over the last six months and it has mostly been Eastern Europen suspects.

“It does appear that Rayleigh is being targeted at the moment.

“We are trying as much as possible to patrol the High Street on market days and give advice to elderly shoppers.”

Purse chains and bells are available to collect at Rayleigh Police Station.