Eighty-three-year-old June Moss was on her weekly visit to the town centre when thieves got into her shopping trolley and stole £250.

It is the second time the wartime radar instructress has been targeted – 12 months ago she had £500 taken from her bag as well a savings book, cheque book and some photographs which were of great sentimental value.

The money Mrs Moss had stolen last week had just been drawn out of her bank for her holiday spending money. She had put it in the bottom of her trolley under her shopping but the thieves still managed to take it without her knowing.

"When I got home I checked my bag five or six times and it wasn't there. I don't think for one moment I will get it back," said Mrs Moss.

"I just don't know how anyone could do this," she added.

Despite being £250 out of pocket, the pensioner was determined that the theft should not spoil her holiday at Great Yarmouth.

She added: " I'm going to go on holiday to get away from this all. Why should I let someone else determine what I can and can't do."

Mrs Moss is one of at least 17 elderly people who have been victims of similar thefts in Newmarket's town centre this year.

The centre's management is now working with local police to promote a tannoy message to warn shoppers to look after their personal belongings at all times.

And in a bid to clamp down on snatch thieves, police are issuing pensioners with cat bells which can be attached to purses, handbags and trolleys to alert the owner to anyone tampering with their belongings.

Pc Kevin Green said: "The vast majority of the victims are elderly because they are so vulnerable. We have trouble finding those who carry out the thefts as by the time victims they realise their money has gone they are in a completely different place.

The only way we can catch them is if we issue better prevention methods. That is the reason behind the cat bells."

In addition to the cat bells police are now working with management from the Guineas shopping centre to promote a tannoy message warning people to look after their personal belongings when out in the town.