Shoppers on Anglesey have received free purse bells as part of an initiative to help raise awareness of purse thieves.
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Ynys Mon Crime Prevention Panel and the Fire and Rescue Service have been distributing the purse bells this week as part of their Christmas crime prevention campaign, ‘Don’t be kind to criminals.’
The bells are designed to be attached to the zip of a purse and acts as a deterrent to a thief and alert the purse owner should it be moved unknowingly.
Funding for the bells was obtained via PACT (Police and Community Trust), the Ynys Mon Crime Prevention Panel and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service after a bid was put in by a member of the Holyhead Neighbourhood Policing Team, PCSO Sarah Jones. She said:
“We held similar events last year after PCSO Iona Beckmann secured funding for the purse bells, and because they were so popular we decided to make another bid.
“Historically levels of criminality rise during the pre Christmas period, particularly in relation to theft from handbags as shoppers are busy preparing for the festivities.
“The aim of this initiative was to raise public crime prevention awareness and whilst we have been handing out bells to shoppers, we have also been reminding them about security such as keeping their handbags zipped up and their purses and wallets out of sight.”
The purse bells have been distributed in Holyhead, Llangefni, Benllech, Menai Bridge and Amlwch.
PCSO Sarah Jones added: “We would like to thank everybody who has assisted us during the week, especially the retail outlets such as Argos, ASDA, Co-op and Waitrose who kindly allowed us to use their foyers. I would also like to thank the agencies who provided funding for this initiative and I hope it will make a difference.”
For further information on crime prevention or if you would like to talk to a member of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team call 101 or log onto the North Wales Police website – www.north-wales.police.uk where contact details for individual CBMs and PCSOs are available.
With Christmas on the horizon, here are a few simple steps to help make your purse safer:
- Never let your handbag out of sight. Carry it in front of you especially if you’re walking through a shop or town centre.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and if your purse or wallet is in a bag, ensure that the bag is securely zipped up.
- Keep your purse or wallet safe at all times. Don’t leave it in your shopping basket, trolleys, on restaurant or coffee tables, or on shop counters.
- If someone bumps into you, immediately check that they haven’t taken your purse or wallet from your bag or pocket. Theft can happen very quickly, and you may not notice you’ve been a victim until you next make a purchase.
- If you see anyone acting suspiciously, contact the police.
