Bag-snatcher dragged woman 20m

Photo / Thinkstock

A woman who refused to let go of her handbag after it was snatched in Auckland was dragged 20 metres by her attacker before being pulled further by his vehicle.

Police are investigating seven handbag robberies or thefts in east Auckland this month. Young men in stolen cars were targeting women in shopping centre car parks.

One occupant of the vehicle would jump out, grab the handbag, run back to the stolen car and drive off, Detective Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson said.

"Commonly in all the incidents we are investigating, the offenders are young Polynesian or Maori men who are using stolen cars," he said.

"In the latest occurrence on December 19, the female victim hung onto her handbag when it was grabbed. The male offender dragged her 20 metres back to the stolen car, got into the car and began driving, with the victim being dragged a short distance."

Similar incidents had occurred at the Chapel Road Shopping Centre, Meadowlands Shopping Centre, Flatbush and Pakuranga.

In each case the victims had been carrying large amounts of cash in their handbags.

Police advised anyone doing last minute Christmas shopping or heading out on Boxing Day to use credit or debit cards to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Shoppers were also advised to lock their handbags in the car before unloading any other shopping in the boot or back seat.

"Our concerns are that the level of violence that the offenders use could escalate very quickly, meaning there is a very real risk of a victim being seriously injured," Mr Wilkinson said.

"I'd like to get the message across to the community that if you are targeted in this type of attack, you should not try to hang you're your bag. Just let it go, ring 111, and make a note of any descriptions of vehicles and offenders."