Police fear a spate of thefts from women in Crawley might end in tragedy if the perpetrator is not caught.

They have warned people to be careful after a spate of handbag snatches in the Broadfield area.

One elderly victim suffered a head injury in an attack, and police want the man caught quickly before someone else is hurt.

There have been four attacks in a week and police believe they could be linked.

Meanwhile they are warning women to be on their guard.

In the first incident on November 26 a woman's handbag was snatched as she was about to get into her car at the Braodfield Barton parade of shops at 7.45 pm.

A small amount of cash was taken and credit cards.

On November 28 there were two thefts within ten minutes of each other.

At 5.55pm a 72-year-old woman was thrown to the floor after her bag was grabbed near Camen Walk.

The women cut her head in the fall and was shocked by the attack, needing treatment a Crawley Hospital.

The thief ran off with a purse that had very little money in it.

Just after 6pm another 72-year-old fell victim to a thief near the Community centre at Broadfield Barton, losing cash and bank cards but escaping injury.

On November 29 the thief came unstuck, failing to take a bag from a woman and then fleeing towards the Total petrol station at Broadfield.

In each case members of the public helped to comfort the shocked victims.

But now detectives want more information before a thief strikes again.

There are fears there might be a tragedy if someone reacts badly to an attack.

Detective Constable Dave Wilson, who is investigating all the offences: "We are keeping an open mind about whether these crimes are linked.

"But the descriptions we have been given suggest the same man might be responsible for all of them.

"Where people have seen their attacker they describe a white man who is either a teenager or in his early twenties.

"One person described him as skinny, one described him as slim, and in two cases a dark coloured anorak is mentioned, with the hood up to help disguise him"

Detectives believe that a friend or relative may be aware of movements which give the thief away.

DC Wilson said: "Someone might know who's doing this, or perhaps have seen someone running in that area at those times, and until now thought little of it. We'd like them to come forward."

Anyone who is able to help is asked to call DC Wilson at Crawley CID on the Sussex Police non-emergency number 0845 6070999.