A reward has been offered to help snare a prolific group of handbag snatchers targeting pensioners in Eastbourne.

Crime charity Crimestoppers has offered £500 following a spate of bag snatches on women in their 70s.

About eight incidents have been reported to police in two weeks in the town centre and Meads area.

Police today condemned the offenders, saying though none of the victims had been seriously hurt, their crimes were heinous.

Inspector Danny O'Neill, of East Downs police, suggested their success in stamping out crime against businesses was pushing criminals on to the streets.

Police have used high visibility patrols, undercover operations and examined CCTV footage in a bid to catch the bag snatchers.

Six people have been arrested and quizzed before all were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police are now urging elderly women not to carry large sums of cash on them and to ensure their bags are kept loosely on their shoulder to avoid injury in the event of a snatch.

Mr O'Neill said: "The latest incidents can only be described as cowardly attacks on vulnerable members of our community.

"We are determined to put a stop to this and current operations have already resulted in some successes."

Anyone with information should call Eastbourne police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.