SHOPPERS are being warned not to leave themselves open to criminals following a spate of thefts.

Several people visiting Thurrock's Lakeside shopping centre in recent weeks have had purses, wallets and mobile phones stolen.

In a bid to prevent more crimes, officers from the centre's policing team carried out an undercover operation in which they went out to try and spot thieves.

They arrested and cautioned one 24-year-old woman caught taking a mobile phone left on a bench.

Officers are now warning other shoppers not to become easy prey for crooks.

PC Jay Leeson said: "Shoppers must keep their possessions on them at all times.

"There are opportunist thieves and career criminals out there and this form of crime is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the lead up to Christmas when customers will have plenty of goodies on them."

But PC Leeson said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the number of honest shoppers who handed in lost goods.

He added: "It's a rewarding feeling to know that we have such honest people among us. The dishonest ones will soon be caught in future operations."