Not In My Neighbourhood Week - Elderly residents given key chains to prevent purse dipping

Elderly residents were given free crime prevention chains during a nationwide week dedicated to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

The crime prevention devices, called lanyards, consist of a metal keychain with a key ring on one end that attaches to a lady’s purse and a metal clip on the other which attaches to her handbag.

They are designed to prevent criminals from ‘purse dipping’ valuables while out shopping.

The 2,000 lanyards have been purchased with funding from Wyre Strategic Partnership and Rossall Beach Residents Association. They were distributed on Thursday, November 5th in Cleveleys town centre as part of the ongoing Not In My Neighbourhood Week activities being carried out by the neighbourhood police team.
                   
PCSO Kelly Sadler, who patrols Cleveleys town centre, said: “If a thief tries to take a purse from a handbag the owner will feel a tug on the lanyard. As the purse is attached to the handbag it makes it harder to remove and hopefully this will prevent purse dipping.

“Lanyards are a simple but effective method of securing valuables and many residents who have already been given one have told us it makes them feel safer while out shopping.”

The following pictures show members of the neighbourhood police team together with Freda, Pam and Beryl distributing and fitting the lanyards to shoppers purses outside New Look on Victoria Road West.

Arrangements are being made to hold another give away session early in 2010, when the Neighbourhood Police Team and Rossall Beach Residents Association will be hitting the streets of Cleveleys once again.