POLICE are investigating two incidents which they believe could be linked.

The first was at a house on Chiltern Road at about 6.40pm on Sunday, August 5.

A man entered through a door which was left open and stole the elderly woman victim's black leather purse containing £10 in cash, a Matalan card and personal papers.

The second incident took place only half an hour later at a bus stop on Fleet Lane, Parr.

On this occasion the offender approached a different woman asking for tissues to help with sores on his leg. As she tried to offer assistance the man snatched her handbag containing, £15 in cash, personal papers and various photographs before making his escape.

Police are looking for a white man, 6ft 3ins tall, who was wearing a white baseball cap, white tracksuit bottoms and a blue and white striped top.

Anyone with information can contact DC Paul Ford on 0151 777 6070 or the St Helens Incident Management Unit (IMU) on 0151 777 6969.