EXTRA police will be patrolling the streets of Blackburn and Burnley town centres this Christmas in a bid to crack down on pickpockets who prey on shoppers.

During the festive period there is an annual rise in the number of so-called 'dippers' visiting town centres.

With a massive increase in shoppers in the busy areas of the town, these thieves can easily 'dip' into an open handbag and make off with a purse or chequebook.

Police say there are literally hundreds of pickpocket offences over the Christmas period and the true figure could be even higher with many incidents going unreported or recorded as lost property.

Burnley Police said 20 people have fallen prey to pickpockets since June this year -- a similar number to last year. Last year more than 30 people were arrested for theft in Blackburn town centre in just one week during a similar clampdown.

Shopkeepers and the Town Centre Radio scheme in Blackburn are also involved in the fight against these offenders and want to help raise awareness of the problem.

Town centre police officers are visiting shops and explaining to staff how to identify offenders.

The radio scheme gives a link between shops, the police station and shopping centre security staff which enables them to circulate information about suspect individuals.

Blackburn town Centre Police Sergeant Dave Sherrington said the key was to protect yourself from becoming a victim in the first place.

He said: "Always make sure your handbag is firmly closed and carried close to your body. If you are carrying items in your pockets -- make sure they are fastened. Be aware and vigilant of your surroundings. Don't make it easy for thieves to make off with your property."

Sgt Sherrington said that the most vulnerable people were the elderly and mums with bags on pushchairs. He added that victims often presumed they had lost their property rather than had it stolen.

He said: "If you find that your purse is missing try to remember if you have been in a busy shop or been jostled at any time during your visit to the town centre. In any case, always report such things to the police as soon as they happen."

Burnley town centre beat officer PC Tracey Edmondson said: "This is a concern for us because of the misery it causes and because many of the victims are elderly."

As part of the campaign in Burnley posters and leaflets will be distributed through the town centre.