Police are calling for public assistance after receiving further reports of incidents where women have had their hand bags snatched while using shopping centres in Northern Suburbs yesterday.

Police received a report from a concerned member of the public who witnessed an attempted bag snatch just before 7:00 pm at the Hibiscus Shopping Centre. It is alleged the youth offender ran past a woman and attempted to steal her hand bag but was unsuccessful. He then ran to a waiting trail motor bike which was being ridden by another youth and fled the area. The offender is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, approximately 14 years of age, male, skinny build and wearing a black cap

A second report of a bag snatch was reported to police at approximately 8:00 pm at the Northlakes Shopping Centre. It is alleged the 48-year-old woman was getting out of her vehicle when a youth ran past and pulled the bag from her shoulder. The youth then ran across McMillans Road and into a dark area, a trail motor bike was then heard driving along the McMillans service road towards Anula. The offender is described as being of Caucasian appearance, male, early teens, 140 - 150 cm tall, curly brown hair and wearing a baseball cap.

On Tuesday a 44-year-old woman got out of her car at the Malak Shopping Centre and began walking up the stairs to the shop when an unknown male walked down the steps and grabbed her bag. The offender then ran across the road to the adjacent park where he fled the scene with three other males on trail motor bikes.

"Police are seeking information from members of the public who may have witnessed stealing incidents involving youths at the Malak, Northlakes and Hibiscus shopping centres over the past three days. We are particularly interested in speaking to a woman who reported an incident of this type to Security at the Hibiscus Shopping Centre yesterday" Acting Sergeant Patrick Carson said.

"If members of the public have observed youths riding trail motor bikes in the suburbs of Leanyer, Wulagi, Anula, Malak or Northlakes areas they are encouraged to pass this information onto police.

"Northern Territory Police will simply not tolerate a situation where persons cannot go about their daily business in absolute safety."

Anyone with information that could assist police are urged to call 131444 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.