Two people have been convicted after targeting lone females who were walking to their cars from Welling train station.

On January 3 - a woman was attacked by a man along Norfolk Place who snatched her handbag after making her way to her car.

Shortly afterwards a female visited various shops in Upper Wickham Lane to use contactless credit cards belonging to the victim.

On January 11 – a woman was attacked along Station Approach by a male who her snapped up her handbag before a short time later a woman used her credit cards in Upper Wickham Lane shops.

PC Robinson, of the East Wickham Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “These are two violent attacks which have left both victims with psychological harm.

“The convictions are a testament to their dedication to supporting police and I hope they will find closure in the sentence. Offences like this have no place in Welling and we will continue to do our best to prevent offences like this happening in the future.”

William Pearce, 41, of Brook Vale in Erith, was convicted for one count of robbery on January 11 and two counts of robbery on January 3.

He was sentenced to six years and four months in prison. At the time of the attacks he was under released on licence from a life sentence for a robbery.

The judge told him: "You are 41 years old with a bad criminal record. She (the victim) was on her own after dark and you considered her an easy target. There was significant force used and the life licence is a serious aggravating factor."

Leela Baverstock, 34, of Olyffe Avenue, Welling, admitted two counts of handling stolen goods and two counts of fraud by false representation.

She has been ordered to be under a curfew for 12 weeks.

William Pearce and Leela Baverstock were arrested in Welling on January 12. Belongings of both victims were found at an address.