Police have made a breakthrough in the hunt for handbag snatchers who target city shoppers.

They have identified a man who was allegedly involved in one of the latest snatches yesterday.

A city-wide hunt has been launched for the suspect as part of Operation Grab.

More than 30 handbags have been snatched from lone women drivers in Brighton and Hove over the last three weeks.

The breakthrough came yesterday after a woman stopped her car in Tongdean Lane, Brighton at 10.25am.

A red Vauxhall Belmont pulled up close behind her and a man got out of the driver's seat and walked towards her.

He opened a rear door and grabbed the victim's handbag from the seat behind. He then ran back to the Vauxhall and drove off at speed towards Hove.

The victim called police and a major alert was put out to all officers in Brighton and Hove to watch for the get-away vehicle.

Seconds later it was spotted by Sergeants Andy Richardson and Karen Pirrie in Addison Road, Hove.

They chased it to Dyke Road with members of the public pointing the way from the pavements.

The car was found abandoned a few minutes later in York Villas, Brighton.

However, the two officers had already recognised the driver of the Vauxhall and were able to advise colleagues involved in the search who to look out for.

Police received reports of a Vauxhall Astra being stolen in nearby Port Hall Road, Brighton a few minutes later.

They believe the suspect may have broken into the car and hidden inside the police search had been called off.

They believe he then drove off in it and is now on the run in Brighton and Hove.

Sergeant Richard Delacur said: "Officers were able to get a good look at his face and were able to identify him.

"They were also able to follow him with the help of members of the public who pointed out to them where he had gone."

The suspect is one of a number of men who have targetted mainly women shoppers in the city recently.

Many of the bag snatches have happened in busy superstore car parks, including Asda at Hollingbury, Brighton, Sainsbury's in Hangleton Link road, Hove and the Co-op in Nevill Road, Hove.

Others have taken place as drivers pull up at traffic lights at busy road junctions.

Brighton and Hove police have made Operation Grab their highest priority and have begun undercover surveillance.

Anyone with information about the spate of bag thefts should call Sgt Delacur at Hove Police station on 0845 6070999