AN elderly widow recovering from the death of her husband has become the latest bag snatch victim in March. She was on her way to church on Sunday morning when a teenage cyclist stole her handbag. Friends of the victim, who has not been named by police,

AN elderly widow recovering from the death of her husband has become the latest bag snatch victim in March.

She was on her way to church on Sunday morning when a teenage cyclist stole her handbag.

Friends of the victim, who has not been named by police, say the thief got away with money the woman had been putting aside for the church collection.

A passerby chased the offender, who threw the bag away after taking the cash and some of the contents.

Police described the offender as tall, medium build, and with a grey cap and wearing dark clothing. He is described as between 16-20.

"The victim was unhurt but obviously distressed," said a police spokesman, who has appealed for information.

The robbery took place at 10am outside Blockbusters in High Street, March, and anyone in the area at the time is being asked to contact police if they have information which might help.

- On July 4, a woman was walking through Mill View car park, March, with her handbag over her left shoulder. She was approached from behind by a slow-moving car and the driver leaned out and snatched her bag.

- In April, a woman spotted thieves who had stolen her purse from a handbag while shopping in the town centre. She gave chase and one of the men dropped her purse before escaping.

- Other recent victims have include a handbag snatch in Mill View, in January, and before Christmas a woman discovered her zipped bag had been opened and her purse stolen when she went to pay for goods in a shop in Broad Street.