FOUR women had smart phones stolen from their handbags while out in the town centre.

The four incidents took place between 11pm and 1am last Saturday, with incidents in Bar Loco and in Che Bar.

In each case the women were at the bar and had their phones in bags on their shoulders which were zipped.

They all only noticed their phones were missing when they went to use them.

Acting Det Ch Insp Steve Handley said it was impossible to say if the thefts were down to a gang of pickpockets or just one person.

"Most people have these phones and thieves know that. They are valuable items - to buy one from a store could cost four or five hundred pounds."