GANGS of female pickpockets are targeting market day shoppers in Bridport, says an angry pensioner whose purse was snatched for the second time.

Isobella Cooper, 83, is calling for more police patrols and much tougher penalties for the ‘miserable’ thieves.

“I know what I would do if I could get my hands on them,” she said. “I would give them a good hiding.”

Mrs Cooper had her purse, which contained £20, stolen from her bag as she walked among the market stalls in East Street.

She claims gangs of women are coming in from other areas to steal from the elderly and vulnerable on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the streets are crowded.

She said: “I know I was silly – I left my bag unzipped – but they are really miserable people to steal from us.

“I am 83 years old and I have had enough – I think it is a damn shame. I had the same thing happen late last year when my purse was taken containing around £50 for my Christmas shopping.

“I am sure it is women – I noticed them close up to me before it went missing.

“I think it is despicable. Even younger people are getting robbed on the streets these days.

“The police are too soft with them – they just say to them ‘don’t do it again’.

“I think there should be more patrols to combat these organised gangs and the people of Bridport should be warned.”

This week market officials said they had no evidence that organised gangs were at work.

Town Surveyor Daryl Chambers said: “We did have an incident ages ago but no new reports from the police, the traders and the market supervisor.”

Bridport police section commander Inspector Alan Jenkins said Bridport rarely suffers from pickpocketing gangs – but said they needed to remain vigilant.

He said: “On the rare occasions we do get problems, we are normally able to quickly identify possible suspects through the town radio-links and the council’s CCTV systems. Using these tactics we were able to make arrests earlier this year for a team attempting to pickpocket and shoplift. “We have not had a significant rise in reported crimes but we do not remain complacent.

“It is always possible these offences have taken place and not been reported as some victims may feel they have lost their property rather than had it stolen. “We of course require concrete evidence an offence has occurred before we can investigate. “Pickpocket teams coming into small towns like Bridport, Beaminster or Lyme often quickly stand out.

“However, some teams from the large cities are very professional and will hit an area for a short period and move on.

“I would stress the need for everyone to remain vigilant in particular during the lead up to Christmas when thoughts are on presents and wallets may be fuller than normal.”