ELDERLY women in Prestwich and Whitefield are continuing to be targeted by bag snatchers.

In the last week, four women pensioners have become victims.

One man from Salford appeared in court on Thusday (April 26) charged in connection with stealing a handbag from a 78-year-old woman in Park Street, Prestwich, the previous day.

Of the three undetected crimes, a 76-year-old woman was grabbed around the waist and thrown to the ground in Clarks Hill, Prestwich, on Sunday afternoon (April 22). She was uninjured but left very distressed by the attack.

The thief escaped with the woman's handbag. He was white, in his late 20s, 5ft 11ins tall and thin, with short brown hair. He was wearing a blue fleece top and was seen getting into a white Renault Clio.

Police are investigating another handbag snatch which also happened on Sunday, this time at 10.20am in Church Lane, Whitefield.

The 71-year-old woman was also thrown to the ground by the thief who was white, aged 20 and 5ft 8ins tall.

On Tuesday (April 24), a 66-year-old woman fell to the floor after having her handbag pulled from her grasp. The snatched happened at 5.15pm in Rectory Lane, Prestwich.

A substantial amount of money was stolen by the thief who was black, aged approximately 25, and of slim build.

Anyone with information about any of the thefts should contact Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8248.