POLICE are investigating an attempted street robbery in Bishop's Waltham, the second in the area in recent weeks.

In a statement, police said: "We were called just before 12.30pm on Friday July 23 to reports of an attempted theft on Winchester Road, Bishop's Waltham.

"The victim and his wife were approached by two women who asked them to sign a petition, one of the women then grabbed the victim by the hand and started shaking it.

"The victim realised she was trying to take his watch off and moved his hand away. Nothing was stolen in the incident.

"Anyone with information can phone 101, with reference 44210291700."

A spokeswoman today said no arrests had been made.

She said officers were looking at links with an incident in Waltham Chase, a couple of miles away, on Wednesday July 7.

"As with any investigation it is looked into whether there are any connections with similar incidents, this work is ongoing," she said.

An 86-year-old man was harassed and robbed of his Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch by two women on Bull Lane.

The two women were described as white women in their mid-20s, both around 5ft 3ins tall with slim builds, wearing white face masks, and spoke with an Eastern European accent. One of the women had short neck length dark brown hair.