Six bags were stolen within hours of each other from shoppers mostly sitting in cafes across South Tyneside.

In one incident, 84-year-old widow Adelaide Welch had her bag taken as she ate lunch in Nobles Amusements, King Street, South Shields. It contained a vital hearing aid worth £1,500.

Police are warning people to be more vigilant when out and about, and never let personal belongings out of their sight.

Incidents reported to police on Wednesday were:
n 12.30pm: Theft of a handbag from Nobles Amusements, King Street, South Shields, from an 84-year-old woman.
n 1pm: Morrisons, Jarrow, a 79-year-old reports handbag stolen.
n 1.10pm–5.20pm: A 61-year-old woman reported her handbag stolen as she unpacked her car in Ocean Road, South Shields.
n 2.45pm: A handbag is reported stolen from a woman in Atlantic bar, Mile End Road, South Shields.

Incidents reported on Thursday:
n 10.40am: A handbag is stolen from Cafe Nero in South Shields;
n 12.11pm: Peters the baker's, King Street, a handbag is reported as stolen.
Mrs Welch, whose bag also contained cash, keys and a mobile phone, today backed the police's warning.

She said: "I didn't even see it going, it was so quick. I feel devastated. I've always been one of these people who thinks nothing will happen to me.

"It just goes to show it can happen to anyone, and I want to warn others it could happen to you, so watch your things."

Mrs Welch, who is deaf in one ear, now has to use a broken hearing aid to help her until she is able to replace the one stolen.

She also had to pay to have her locks changed at her home in Gateshead.

She added: "I'd only had the hearing aid in my bag because I had been to Newcastle to have it checked.

Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Charlton said: "We would warn everyone to be vigilant when outside and to keep an eye on personal belongings."

A 25-year-old man has been charged with two counts of theft and remanded in custody by South Tyneside Magistrates' Court until September 14.