A WOMAN who had her phone stolen has criticised police for letting the thief off with a caution after it was revealed that there has been a spate of similar incidents.

Rachel Hardy, 19, was in Umbargo, in Fleet Street, when her phone was taken.

Fortunately a friend spotted a man going through her bag and Rachel was able to point the police in his direction.

The theft happened in February and in March Rachel, of Padstow Road, received a letter from the police saying the man responsible had been cautioned.

When Rachel, who works in customer services, saw the Advertiser article earlier this week warning women to be on their guard she was annoyed that her thief had been let off so lightly.

"If it's been happening so much they should have made an example of him," she said.

"The police caught him red-handed.

"They stopped him and found the phone on him and then he got off with a caution."

As previously reported, PC Georgina Packford,of Swindon police, said thieves were targeting women enjoying a night out.

And she said police were struggling to catch those responsible because the victims often do not find out that it has happened until later on.

But Rachel said: "If the police are finding it hard to catch them then all the more reason not to let him off.

"They should have done something to make him realise that it's not worthwhile doing it."

She says the experience has left her reluctant to venture down to the bottom of town on a night out.

"I'm worried I will see him again so it's made me more worried," she said.

"It's also made me more aware to keep my bag with me because you don't think you'll get your phone nicked. It's made me wise up a bit."

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "The circumstances surrounding the offence were fully taken into account, including both mitigating and aggravating factors.

"In this instance a police caution was considered to be the most appropriate course of action.

"Although a caution is not a criminal conviction it is recorded on the police database and may be considered in court in the event of the offender being tried for another offence.

"The record remains on the police database for five years, together with photographs, fingerprints and any other samples taken at the time."