THE latest victim of purse thieves in Skipton says the perpetrators do not realise the effect they have on the pensioners they target.

Doreen Larsen, 73, had her purse containing £68 taken as she shopped in WH Smith on Sheep Street shortly before noon on Wednesday.

Mrs Larsen, who lives in the town, said: "I am a pensioner and that money has to last me for a month until my next pension."

She said she had no family she could turn to for financial help and would have to cut back on her groceries for the month.

Mrs Larsen told the Herald she felt very angry with the thief.

"Luckily I can go to the bank but it's put me in a right hole. It's a hell of a lot to me," she added.

The pensioner believes the thief dipped into her bag after she put it down on the floor to write on an envelope. It was unzipped as she had a bouquet of flowers inside it.

She described the thief as a white woman, in her 20s with dark brown hair.

Mrs Larsen is the eleventh woman to have her purse stolen this year and the fifth person in the space of a week.

Another woman, a 55-year-old from Burley Woodhead, noticed her purse was gone as she shopped on the High Street on Wednesday lunchtime.

Three incidents occurred on Friday. The first one happened between 12.15pm and 1pm. The victim, who was 75 and from Clitheroe, realised her purse had been taken when she went to pay in a shop in Craven Court.

Just over an hour later thieves struck again when a 69-year-old woman from Leeds had her purse taken as she walked in Sheep Street.

The third incident involved a 71-year-old complainant from Gateshead and occurred between 2pm and 2.10pm. She was also targeted on the High Street.

Last year there were more than 70 incidents in Skipton, mainly involving pensioners.

Community safety sergeant Cris Pappin said the police were still doing their best to protect potential victims by carrying out uniformed patrols and undercover operations.

Sgt Pappin said around 1,000 lanyards (cords) had been handed out to pensioners to encourage them to fix their purse to their bags. There are also posters up in shop windows warning people that thieves are at work in the area and the supermarkets are putting out tannoy announcements.

But Sgt Pappin said some shoppers were still not heeding the messages and were walking around with their bags unzipped.

"These thieves are professional and people have got to keep their wits about them," he added.

As many of the victims are tourists there are fears the spate of thefts could tarnish Skipton's reputation.

Town centre manager Chris Aldred said: "Market research shows the best form of publicity is word of mouth. We don't want Skipton getting the reputation 'go to Skipton and get your purse snatched'."

Mr Aldred said the town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce was also concerned about the problem and he was willing to work hand in hand with the police.

But he explained: "It's difficult to know what can be done."

Anyone with information should contact the police witness line on 01423 539334 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.