PICKPOCKETS are targeting visitors to the Trafford Centre over the Christmas season.

A group of thieves have taken mobile phone from shoppers' back pockets and stolen items from handbags.

Police warned that the team of three women and two men are predominately visiting the shopping centre on Saturdays.

Officers who are based at Stretford Police Station have urged members of the public to be vigilant.

They said in a tweet: "Please be aware that we are experiencing pickpockets in the Trafford Centre at the moment.

"A team of three women and two men are visiting mainly on Saturdays and targeting people with mobile phones in their back pockets plus women who leave their handbags unzipped."