POLICE are urging shopkeepers to keep their belongings in a secure place after a spate of thefts in Corsham.

The thefts have all been similar in nature and PC Hazel Thorburn, of Corsham police, believes they are being carried out by the same person.

The most recent incident happened on Monday when a thief took a handbag from a small lobby area behind the counter in a shop in the town centre while the shopkeeper was distracted.

"The offender then phoned the shop pretending to be in a professional capacity so she would assume it was the bank or police," said PC Thorburn.

"They said they could only cancel her cards if she gave her pin number. She did the right thing and refused to do it."

This is the fourth incident to happen at shops and businesses around the precinct in the last few weeks.

PC Thorburn said: "People should not leave bags or belongings unattended behind desks or in cupboards. They should be put in a secure, locked place."

The first reported incident happened a month ago when the thief stole a handbag from behind the till while the shopkeeper was dealing with a customer.