AN ULVERSTON woman says she now feels uneasy about going into the town centre after pickpockets took her purse from her handbag.

Ellen Wren went to pay for purchases in the town shortly after withdrawing cash at an ATM, only to realise her purse was no longer in her bag.

"My purse was missing," said the 88-year-old widow. "I actually have bells on my handbag so I could hear if someone opened it.”

Police said they were contacted on Saturday (July 21) after the incident occurred on the town’s King Street. Officers are appealing to shoppers who may have witnessed the theft to contact them if they have any information. Reports emerged of at least three other victims being targeted by thieves.

Mrs Wren has also placed a card in the window of a local shop asking for any information regarding her red purse.

“It has made me feel wary of going into town now," she said. “Ulverston is the last place you would expect that to happen.

"I always felt safe in town before this."