A 66-year-old woman was thrown to the ground as thugs stole her handbag in Otley on Tuesday.

The woman was walking along Whiteley Croft Road when she was approached from behind by two youths.

One of them pulled the strap on her handbag, making her fall over.

The pair then ran off towards Station Road with her handbag.

The woman was unhurt but shaken and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The black square canvas bag contained a brown purse which had a small amount of cash in it.

The youths were described as white males between 16 and 17-years-old, and they were both wearing grey anoraks and dark trousers.

Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer at Weetwood Police, Peter Krushniak said: "Thankfully this is a very rare occurrence in Otley and we are keen to talk to anyone with information about the two people who did this.

"We are quite sure that there were a lot of people in the area at the time and somebody may have seen something."

l A laptop was taken from a car parked in a Horsforth pub car park.

Two men were seen driving in to the 11th Earl pub in Fink Hill in a Cherokee Jeep stolen from Chapel Allerton.

They approached a Mercedes parked in the car park and smashed the rear windscreen using an iron bar.

The theft happened at 3.40pm on Monday, March 24.

The pair were described as white and in their mid 20s.

Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer at Weetwood Police, Peter Krushniak said: "Once again we would urge people to take their valuables out of their cars when they leave them.

"If it is impossible to take the valuables, then hide them as best as possible, do not have valuables on show."

l Jewellery was stolen from a house in Rawdon on Tuesday.

A witness saw a man walk up the drive to a house in Greenacre Park Avenue at 6.10pm.

The man was believed to have arrived at the house in a silver Audi car.

He was described as white, 25 to 30-years-old, 5ft 9 to 11ins and blue jeans.