A man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery after members of the public chased away a man who tried to steal two women’s handbags.

The two incidents occurred on Wednesday,December 13 between 4.10pm and 4.20pm in Mill Street and St Andrews Street, Mildenhall.

On each occasion, a man made a failed attempt to steal handbags from a 17-year-old girl and a 62-year-old woman.

In both cases, members of the public intervened and the suspect ran away.

Police were called and arrived within a matter of minutes and a short while later arrested a 32-year-old man from the Mildenhall area on suspicion of robbery.

He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Any witnesses to either incident are asked to call to call Suffolk Police’s West CID at Bury St Edmunds Police Station on 101, quoting reference 79285/17.