Tonbridge town centre community officer PC Tim Moody has today begun visiting shops in the town to deliver a leaflet that asks retailers to draw customers’ attention to handbag and purse security.
PC Moody’s actions follow 3 purse thefts in Tonbridge town centre during the morning of Tuesday 16 November between 10.30 – 11.15am. The first incident occurred at some point in the High Street. An elderly lady had visited a number of shops and when she went to the post office she discovered that her purse had gone from her zip-up shopping bag. It seems that someone had slashed the bag in order to get the purse. The second incident occurred when a woman was in a shop in the High Street and felt someone bump into her. When she went to pay she discovered her purse was no longer in her handbag. Finally an 82 year old woman had put her bag in a shopping trolley when she was in a shop in the High Street and when she went to pay she discovered her purse missing.
PC Moody said: “I am particularly concerned in the run-up to Christmas that shoppers, especially older people, do not become victims of crime. At this time of year people may be carrying more cash than usual and need to take extra care with their bags and purses.”
He added: “If you are a retailer please help us by reminding your customers to look after their belongings.”
|
