POLICE today put town centre shoppers on red alert after two handbags were snatched in as many days.

In the first incident in Blackburn town centre, two thieves snatched a bag from a 52-year-old woman in Victoria Street, at 9.45pm on Thursday. She suffered a cut knee and an injured shoulder after a man pushed her over before grabbing the bag which contained personal effects, a mobile phone and £5 cash.

The man was described as 5ft 8ins tall, slim, and wearing a dark jacket with a hood that covered his face.

In the second incident, a woman was attacked on St Peter's Street outside Jumpin' Jaks nightclub yesterday at 8.15am. A man wearing a beige jacket with a dark, hooded top covering his face snatched her bag which contained money and personal effects.

Police believe the two crimes are not connected. If anyone has any information contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.