Warning after more purse thefts

3:50pm Saturday 13th December 2008

Comments (3)   Have your say »

PURSE snatches were reported in Chippenham, Trowbridge and Devizes this week as police reiterated advice to shoppers to keep their belongings safe.

Wiltshire Police said all of the thefts happened in busy town centres during the day.

Crime reduction officer, Claire Rooney, said: “Offenders are choosing busy town centres, especially market days to target people. "They will look for opportunities, such as bags left open, purses and mobiles in view at the top of a bag and even backpacks, as many people put their valuables in the front pockets making them easier targets for thieves.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to keep their purses hidden away in their handbags, preferably in a zipped pocket. Never carry large amounts of cash, or lots of cards that you don’t regularly use, and never carry your pin number in your purse, or give it to anyone over the phone.

"If you do see anything suspicious or have been a victim, we would urge people to contact us immediately, the quicker the information reaches us, the more chance we have of catching the offender and stopping other people from becoming a victim.”

*Keychains and lanyards are being handed out free by police in The Shires shopping centre today and Asda, in Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, tomorrow.