BLACKPOOL Police are hunting a young bag snatcher who could be responsible for up to 17 street robberies in the town.

Between August and October several elderly women have had their handbags snatched by a man riding a bike as they walked along the Promenade or in the South Shore area.

Their descriptions have pointed to a very thin white man in his teens to late twenties. His clothing has included a white or grey baseball cap, a dark baseball cap and a navy blue jacket.

Police believe he has used several different bikes, including a red mountain bike, a dark coloured mountain bike and a dark Raleigh racer with drop handlebars.

Det Sgt Glenn White said: "During two of the robberies near to the Pleasure Beach women sustained injuries. One was dragged to the ground causing her to sustain cuts and bruises, while another had her finger broken by the strap of her handbag being pulled violently."

He said one woman had suffered a nervous breakdown since being attacked, and another who had been on holiday recovering from heart surgery had been very upset and frightened by her attack.

He added: "Clearly this individual will continue these types of offences until he is caught. He is a danger to the community and must be captured before he causes serious injury to a victim or worse."

He asked anyone with information about the man's identity, or who may have seen any of the incidents happen, to contact him on 604127, or phone Blackpool Police on (01253) 293933 quoting log number 57 WQ 301001.