CCTV images show women police want to identify after a wave of reported handbag and phone snatchings.

Since the start of October, Herts Police have received more than 40 reports of thefts from shoppers in atria Watford, with mobile phones being taken on most of the occasions.

The force have since been taking "robust action", running plain clothed operations in the town and working closely with partners including Watford BID and atria Watford.

Inspector Dan Jones said: “I’d like to hear from anyone who recognises the people in the images as it is believed they were in the area at the time of the respective incidents.”

Women in photos one and two were believed to be nearby when a handbag was snatched in the Card Factory on September 13 (crime reference 41/77511/24).

Images one and two.Images one and two. (Image: Herts Police) On October 17, it was reported that a customer was shopping in TK Maxx when a woman stole their handbag. This related to photo three (crime reference 41/87385/24).

A day later, a phone was reportedly taken from a victim’s pocket in Peacocks, relating to photo four (crime reference 41/87503/24).

Images three (left) and four (right).Images three (left) and four (right). (Image: Herts Police) The same thing was reported on November 7, with this relating to photo five (crime reference 41/94034/24).

The final photo relates to an incident on November 11, when a victim was shopping in H&M and noticed her phone had been taken from her pocket (crime reference 41/94974/24).

Images five (left) and six (right).Images five (left) and six (right). (Image: Herts Police) Information can be shared with police online at https://orlo.uk/UMP3jm, or by calling 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number.