A WOMAN has been charged with stealing a handbag and two purses from shoppers.

Bernadette Christina Whelan, of Dorset Road, Christchurch, has been charged with two counts of theft from the person of another.

The 48-year-old was arrested by officers in Dorset Road at 1.45pm on Sunday afternoon (February 4).

It follows reported incidents at Marks & Spencer, in Station Road, New Milton, on Monday, January 22, when there was a report of the theft of handbag and purse, and at Waitrose in Hythe on Tuesday, November 7 last year, when there was a reported theft of a purse.

Whelan has been remanded in police custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today (February 6).