Robbers riding scrambler motorbikes carried out a string of snatch thefts in a less than a week.

A passenger on the back of an off-road bike, with no rear number plate, grabbed a woman’s handbag as she walked in High Street, Hampton, before speeding off.

Thieves riding a motorbike also tried to steal a pedestrian’s bag in Somerset Road, Teddington, but escaped empty-handed, and targeted a man waiting at a bus stop, pulling his suitcase out of his hands.

Detective Constable Simon Guy, leading the investigation, said: "These incidents appear to be linked and we are keen to identify the suspects to stop repeat offences by them.”

The robbers targeted the first victim as he stood at a bus stop in Chertsey Road, Feltham, at 6.10am on Sunday, January 23, snatching a small suitcase off him.

One rider was thought to be wearing a balaclava. They were both white, aged between 17 and 19 and wore dark clothing.

Thieves then rode up behind a woman walking near Hons Chinese Takeaway, in High Street, Hampton, at about 3.25pm the following day and snatched her handbag off her arm. The passenger wore a blue and white woolly hat and a green puffer jacket, and their bike was small and dark coloured.

Robbers on a dirt bike struck twice four days later. They tried to steal a scooter in Neville Road, Richmond, at about 3.15am, on Friday, January 28, but a resident disturbed them and they sped off towards Sandy Lane, in Ham.

They were said to be about 18 years old, and the passenger had blonde hair.

Two riders on a black motorbike drove up beside a 35-year-old woman in Somerset Road, Teddington, at 3.15pm on the same day and the passenger tried to snatch her handbag, but was unable to grab it and sped off towards Shacklegate Lane empty handed. They were white and did not wear helmets.

Detective Police Inspector Martin Ward, of Richmond police, said more officers patrolled the area following the spate of snatch thefts, but they have not arrested any suspects.

Anyone with information should contact DC Guy on 020 8247 7032, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.