A thief who steals a handbag from the person carrying it.
‘In a violent altercation in Barcelona with a Moroccan bag snatcher last month I came out with a torrent of extremely filthy Italian which I did not know I knew.’
‘The constables were patrolling Redfern, on the lookout for a bag snatcher, when they came across the body at the end of a lane.’
‘The first thing bag snatchers do is throw away anything that might identify the owner.’
‘In the UK street-skaters are seen as nascent bag-snatchers and hit-and-run assassins in training.’
‘In France, Britons are warned to look out for bag snatchers, muggers, burglars and pickpockets, all targeting tourists.’
‘One of the interesting facts about travel is that you are generally safer - at least from petty crime - in places where tourists do not go, as the pickpockets and bag snatchers that prey on tourists do not exist in such places.’
‘I've become acutely aware of pickpockets and bag snatchers.’
‘Cyclists in York are being warned to be on their guard after ride-by bag snatchers struck in the city again.’
‘Magdalena identified her bag, and the bag snatchers.’
‘Extra police officers have been patrolling the streets of Bolton town centre over the festive season in a crackdown on pickpockets, car thieves and bag snatchers.’
‘Elderly people have been warned about a serial bag snatcher after a 90-year-old woman became the latest town centre victim.’
‘The bag snatcher was described as white, in his 30s, with fair, sandy hair.’
‘The scheme is part of a campaign to bring people back to the parks, which in the past have provided hiding places for under-age drinkers, drug addicts, sex attackers and bag snatchers.’
‘There were two vehicles in the area at the time, on patrol for a bag snatcher, and they arrived at the scene minutes after the accident.’
‘There were certainly challenges that came with living here: such as having to be on constant watch for hijackers and bag snatchers and home invaders.’
‘Someone who steals from the vulnerable, such as a bag snatcher targeting a pensioner, pregnant women or tourist, could be given a community order, although the starting point would be 18 weeks in jail.’
‘Police have nabbed a would-be bag snatcher but the identity of his intended victim remains a mystery.’
thief, petty thief, sneak thief
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