Shoppers in Leeds can pick up a free purse chain from the City Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to help combat ‘purse dippers’ in the city centre.
Officers have around 1,000 of the free chains, which can be easily attached to bags and purses, available from Millgarth Police Station and from the City NPT’s stall within Kirkgate Market.
In recent weeks a number of incidents of ‘purse dipping’ – where opportunist thieves reach into open bags and handbags to steal purses and valuables – have been reported in the city centre.
Yesterday two people were arrested on suspicion of being involved in ‘purse dipping’ after being caught watching shoppers’ bags by police community support officers patrolling the city centre.
Sgt Paul Maxfield of the City NPT said: "Shoppers should be on their guard against opportunist thieves because they can take purses within seconds and so unsuspectingly that their victims don’t realise anything has been taken until they try to find it later.
"The best way to avoid being a victim is to ensure bags are zipped or secure and not left unattended, but by picking up a free chain and attaching it to your bag and purse you have even less chance of becoming a victim."
