TWO women had their handbags and purses stolen in separate attacks whilst walking in the same area in Reading.

A 36-year-old woman was walking along Northcourt Avenue, on Thursday 24 September when she noticed that a man was walking close to her.

Wary of the man, she crossed the road just before the junction at Sherfield Drive. 

He continued to follow her before grabbing her large tan coloured tote handbag, which had all her personal items in. He ran off towards Cressingham Road.

The thief is described as white, 5ft 8ins, of slim build and in his mid twenties. He was wearing a grey hooded jumper with a dark coloured jumper or body warmer over the top, jeans and trainers.

The next day, an 18-year-old woman was walking with her friend down Northcourt Avenue when she noticed a man sat on a street sign at the same junction.

As she walked with her friend, she became aware that someone was running behind them.

Her purse was then snatched from her hand as the man ran off towards St Patricks Hall.

The thief was described as white, in his twenties, with a slight beard. He wore a black hooded top. He was seen smoking a cigarette when sat on the street sign prior to the robbery.

Detective Constable Brian Simmonds said: “Thankfully, neither victim was injured.

“Whist we continue to keep an open mind, there is a possibility that the two incidents are linked due to location and description of offenders."