“Beat the Purse Dipper”

Last minute shoppers in Crewe and Nantwich are being urged “Don’t fall victim to a Christmas purse-dipper!”
Specialists will give crime prevention advice in the town centres, and hand out free bag alarms and purse bells.
Crime Reduction Adviser Mark Cotton said, “Pickpockets and bag snatchers see the Christmas shopping period, and especially the last few days of it, as a boost to their own particular trade.
“They can work among big crowds of people, and they know many of the shoppers will have their minds on other things. They can take full advantage of a lapse of concentration and a bit of carelessness.
“Police Officers and partners are putting a lot of effort into tackling town centre crime. Some officers are out and about in uniform as a deterrent. Others, in plain clothes, are identifying and arresting shoplifters and purse dippers. But shoppers themselves can beat these thieves. It just means taking a few simple precautions.
Those precautions will be highlighted by Mark and the Watch Co-ordinator, Hayley Goodwin, who are setting up advice stalls in both town centres.
Mark said, “We will also hand out some bag alarms and bells. These will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and we will limit them to one per person. They are a useful crime prevention device. Anything which can raise an alarm if a thief tries to take a purse or bag, is a useful last line of defence.
“Keeping an eye on your cash and cards and making sure they are somewhere which is difficult for a thief to reach, is something we should all do at all times.
“Other criminals are busy at Christmas time, too. We are warning people who are out buying presents not to leave them on view in their cars. We have distributed postcards to shops which have a cartoon picture of a thief eyeing up cars loaded with presents, and carrying the slogan, ‘Display and You’ll Pay’.
“Having property stolen at Christmas time is particularly distressing. Having your bag, purse or wallet taken can also cause you a lot of inconvenience when you have to cancel your cards and set up new ones. At this time of year it can put a damper on what should be a really enjoyable occasion.”

Times/ dates of The Purse Dipping Campaign stalls are as follows:
Crewe: Tue Dec 22nd in The Market Centre 11am until 2pm

Nantwich: Wed Dec 23rd in Town Square 11am until 2pm

Advice to beat the Purse Dipper
v Walk with confidence. Avoid looking distracted or confused. Thieves target people who appear vulnerable. Be aware of what is going on around you.

v Be careful in crowded areas. Thieves often bump and jostle people as a distraction technique.

v Avoid carrying your wallet in a back pocket.

v Carry your bag and purse in front of you where you can see it. If the bag has a zip or flap, keep it closed.

v Never leave a purse or bag unattended on a supermarket trolley or shop counter.

v Be careful at cash machines. Pickpockets watch people collecting money to line up potential targets.