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Latest weapon unleashed against purse snatchers
Women are being urged to "keep their purses on a short leash" as part of a new crimebusting campaign.
Northumbria Police is tackling purse snatching by handing out devices designed to combat opportunist thieves.
Sunderland Central Neighbourhood Policing Team will be giving out 4,500 free lanyards to Wearsiders in a bid to keep purses secure.
The move comes after a spate of purse thefts from the elderly in and around the city centre – mainly in crowded shops – over the past five months.
The Safer Sunderland Partnership allocated funding to the new scheme in an attempt to reduce the number of incidents and ensure the safety of shoppers.
The lanyards are attached to the purse by a key ring, with the other end clipped to the inside of the handbag.
As well as securing the purse to the handbag, the brightly coloured lanyards remind people to be aware of who is around them and to zip up their bags once their purse has been put away.
Any thief attempting to snatch a purse secured in this way will find it difficult to steal without drawing attention to themselves.
The bright colours can also be picked up easily on CCTV systems, to greatly increase the chances of identifying offenders if they have been seen and disturbed.
"This simple device can provide additional security for those vulnerable to pickpockets and opportunist thieves," said Sergeant Paul Whittle, of Sunderland Central Neighbourhood Policing Team.
"We have made substantial reductions in crime and disorder in the city centre, and the introduction of initiatives such as this can ensure that Sunderland remains a safe place in which to live and work."
The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be distributing the lanyards at locations including Fawcett Street Post Office, Age Concern and other charity shops.
They will also be offering them to residents of Solar, Astral and Planet House tower blocks and they are available from the front desk at Gill Bridge police station
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Weather for Sunderland
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
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