SHOPPERS and night time visitors to Barnsley town centre are being warned to be on their guard against pickpockets.
The warning comes after the latest crime statistics were revealed at a meeting of the Police Barnsley District Command Team.
The figures show there have been 578 various offences committed in the borough so far this year - representing an increase of 7.6 per cent on last year.
And police are particularly concerned about a recent spike in the number of thefts of purses and mobiles from people visiting the town centre.
Barnsley's crime manager DCI Craig Jackson confirmed a number of thefts have occurred both during the day when people are shopping and at night in Barnsley's bars and clubs.
He said: "There will be a police operation in the run up to Christmas and we are asking people to look after their property to ensure it is not stolen."
