Purse Dip Warning at Crewe

Purse Dip Warning at Crewe

Shoppers in Crewe town centre are being warned to protect themselves from purse-dippers.
Police say people need to be sure they are following basic crime-prevention guidelines. If in doubt, they should stop any Police Community Support Officer who is patrolling the area and get advice.
The warning follows more than ten incidents of purse thefts in the past month. Four were reported on one day.
P.C.S.O Paula Davies said, “Purse dippers can be beaten if people take a few simple precautions. In general terms, shoppers need to keep their purses in a zipped bag and carry the bag in a position where they can see it at all times. Never carry it slung behind you or leave it in a shopping trolley!
“Purse alarms are a good deterrent to thieves, and are cheap. Alternatively you can tie a couple of small bells to your purse.
“If you carry money in a wallet. keep it in an inside pocket. You can also help yourself by not carrying large amounts of cash.
“You also need to be sensible about your cards. Despite loads of warnings, some people still carry a note of their PIN numbers in the same purse as the cards. In one of the recent incidents the thief had taken several hundred pounds from a cash point before the owner noticed the purse was missing.
“Purse dippers will often target people who look vulnerable or harassed. So try to keep alert and look in control of things. I and my colleagues spend most of our time on foot patrol, so if you need any advice about staying safe feel free to stop us and ask.

“We believe several different thieves, or teams of thieves, were responsible for these thefts over the past few weeks. Police Officers will do all they can to identify and arrest them but prevention is a much better answer to this sort of issue. Staying aware and taking a few simple precautions will keep them at bay.”

Ten Points to Beat the Purse Dipper:

v Carry your purse inside a closed bag.

v Carry the bag where you can see it.

v Never leave your bag in a supermarket trolley or shopping trolley.

v Get a purse alarm and use it.

v Carry your wallet in an inside pocket in your jacket or coat.

v Do not carry large amounts of cash

v Never carry notes of your PIN numbers.

v Walk with confidence. Avoid looking distracted or confused.

v Be careful in crowded areas. Thieves often jostle victims as a distraction.

v Take care at cash machines. Purse dippers may be lining up potential targets.