A 27-year-old woman from London was arrested in Devizes yesterday in a police operation to crack down on purse thefts.

Following a spate of purse thefts in Devizes over the past few months, officers conducted a special operation in the town.

During the joint operation, officers from the Crime Targeting Team and the local Community Policing Team carried out high visibility patrols as well as some covert patrols with plain clothes officers.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft following an incident in the Air Ambulance charity shop in Maryport Street.

She was taken to Melksham custody for questioning and has since been released under investigation until all enquiries are complete.

Sgt Pete Foster said: "Over recent weeks, especially over the Christmas period, we have received a number of reports of 'purse dips'.

"On most occasions, elderly women are targeted, often during busy shopping days for the town. With this in mind, we decided to hold this operation on Market Day when the town centre was busy with shoppers.

"This is a deplorable crime where vulnerable members of our society are being targeted. Those committing these crimes give no thought to the impact their mindless actions have on a victim.

"We would urge members of the community to be vigilant to this kind of behaviour and report anything suspicious to us via 999 if the crime is in progress or 101.

"Anyone with specific information in relation to this incident should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54190010554."