weekend, Police are urging people -- especially visitors -- to exercise care when travelling in that area.

On Sunday night around 10.30 p.m., a 62-year-old American visitor was robbed by a man who came up behind her, grabbed her handbag and rode off. The woman was not injured and reported that the purse contained nothing valuable. But the incident was the third of its kind to occur on Pitts Bay Road over the weekend.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette reported that two women -- including one visitor -- were robbed by a motorcycle rider on Friday night.

Police said that a 44-year-old American woman was walking along the road around midnight when a motorcyclist struck from behind. Although he also fell off the cycle, he got up, grabbed the woman's handbag and rode off.

The woman received cuts and bruises, and lost about $80, her shoulder bag, credit cards and passport.

Less than two hours earlier, a man on a motorcycle had also snatched another woman's bag. It contained a purse with a small amount of cash.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that both thefts were committed by the same man, and investigations are continuing.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones said that Police were stepping up patrols in the Pitts Bay Road area, including Richmond Road, Rosemont Avenue and Woodbourne Avenue.

Of the 20 recorded handbag snatches last year, some 14 occurred between March and September.

"We are concerned about these kinds of incidents especially during this time of year in that part of town,'' said Sgt. Jones.

"Men have been attacked too, but many of them have been tourists,'' she added.

In light of the weekend's incidents, Sgt. Jones advised all people to avoid riding alone whenever possible.

Women should, if possible, leave their handbags at home or in their hotel room. If not they should carry their handbags in such a way that the strap extended across their chest from their shoulder to the waist. The bag should also face the side furthest away from the road, said Sgt. Jones.

When riding, the handbag should be carried across the body in the same manner, and if placed in the rear basket, should be securely fastened with a strong lock.

If robbed, Police are asking victims to try to obtain a good description of the rider, including the bike's licence plate.

"We would also like to warn all businesses that deal with the public and tourists to warn them about the increase in handbag snatches,'' Sgt. Jones continued.