Handbag bells prove very popular

From Leicestershire Constabulary

A campaign warning shoppers to be on their guard against purse-snatchers has been launched in Rutland today. (Weds 20)

In the first hour alone, more than 100 shoppers were given small bells to attach to their purse, handbag or shopping bag in a bid to deter thieves. The bells will alert shoppers if their purse or bag is moved.

The Beat Officers for Oakham, PC 4300 Lindsey Booth and PC 4074 Sue Cockerill will be in the Market Place on Wednesday 20th September 2006 giving away free bells to passers by. They will also be available to talk to shoppers if they have any issues or concerns they’d like to discuss.

Purse thieves are known to target the elderly and mothers who leaving bags, prams or pushchairs unattended.

66 year old Judy Buckingham from Braunston had her purse stolen from her handbag on Wednesday 6th September while shopping in the Help the Aged shop on the High Street in Oakham. She said, “I’d gone into the shop and noticed two women who seemed very determined to look at the clothes on the same rail as me which I did think was a bit odd. I felt one of them bump into me and I discovered not long afterwards that my purse had been stolen.”

“My husband is disabled and I had all of his £207 disabled benefit in my purse. I lost the lot. We rely totally on benefit because my husband has been disabled for many years. If it weren’t for the support of friends and family we wouldn’t have had enough money to eat. I’ve now got the expense of buying a new purse and paying for a new driving license. The whole experience has been dreadfully upsetting. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to give a good description of the two women because the whole thing happened so quickly.”

Posters will also appear across the town reminding shoppers to keep their purses safe.

PC Lindsey Booth said: “We are keen to make sure that shoppers can enjoy their shopping without the misery of having their purse stolen. The bells are a warning to purse-snatchers not to come to Oakham.”

“Thieves often target mothers who are pushing their children in buggies and who may have their handbags draped over the side. They may also leave their bags in the buggies as they look at items in windows or in the shops so we want to remind all shoppers to keep their purses secure.”

“This initiative is a really simple idea. It works by making people aware of their bag or purse when they are out in town and it acts as a reminder to all of us to keep our purses and wallets out of the sight in order to prevent the opportunist thief from taking advantage.”

To reduce the risk of having your purse stolen the police advise people to:

Never leave a handbag or purse unattended and be aware of your surroundings

Keep your handbag firmly closed or on your person at all times
Wear shoulder bags with the opening against your body
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
Only keep items in your bag that are needed
Keep your cash card separate from your chequebook.
The bells have been paid for by the East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum as part of the rural business crime initiative.