POLICE officers in Droitwich will be giving out purse bells in a bid to prevent shoppers becoming theft victims.
It follows two incidents in town supermarkets earlier this month where purses were ‘nipped’ out of women’s bags without them knowing.
One of the thefts took place in Aldi and the other in Morrisons.
By the time they realised their purses had gone, large amounts of cash had been withdrawn from their accounts.
Speaking at the Droitwich Town Council meeting on Monday (February 22), Sgt Sarah Kent said: “Some of these thieves are very skillful, almost to the point of ‘magician’ status.”
Sgt Kent also went on to warn people about distraction thefts which involved a group of two or three people approaching shoppers to ask for directions.
As one thrusts a map in the victim’s face, one of the others steals the purse from the handbag.
She said the lastet incident had taken place in Victoria Square and a similar one had been carried out in the Waitrose car park.
“They often deliberately target single women on their own.
“I think as a nation we are sometimes too nice and willing to help so people need to be aware this is happening.”
Anyone who has witnessed a purse theft or who has any information on them should call the Droitwich SNT on 101.
