Bells ring time on purse thefts

An “ingenious” invention to stop purse thefts is attracting interest from forces across the UK. Devised by North Wales police community support officer (PCSO) Sarah Curry, the simple device has two small bells and is clipped to a shopper’s purse.

The Llandudno PCSO came up with the idea after a spate of purse thefts in the town.

The purse bells system was on show at a pop-up crime-prevention shop in the town’s Victoria Shopping Centre last month, where police and partner agencies were showcasing crime-prevention and safety measures.

“Purse-dipping, where thieves steal purses from handbags or out of coat pockets, is actually not a big problem in North Wales. In fact it’s a pretty rare occurrence,” explained PCSO Curry, who has ten years’ service with North Wales Police. “But a few years back we did have a spate of a purse thefts and I just wondered what we could do to prevent them happening. I came up with the idea of a couple of lightweight, but quite loud, bells that can be clipped to a purse.

“The bells have proved really successful and very popular and we are always been asked if we have any spare we can give out to members of the public. I even have tourists who come to Llandudno regularly asking me if I have any they could take away with them.

“To be honest, perhaps we should have taken the idea to Dragon’s Den.

However, I’m just glad the idea works and is proving so popular with Llandudno shoppers and residents.

“If it helps prevent crime and makes people feel safer then we have done our job and that’s all that matters.”

North Wales deputy police and crime commissioner Julian Sandham described it as an “inspired” idea.

“The idea PCSO Curry has come up with to prevent purse thefts with her warning bells is so simple but ingenious and it’s clearly an idea the public have bought into,” said Mr Sandham. “If it helps prevent just one purse from being stolen then it’s worth it, but it’s also given the public much needed reassurance that their police service is ahead of the game in the fight against crime.

“It’s amazing that people re-visiting the area, who are aware of the purse bells, are asking for them. That shows the public has confidence in what is such a simple but clever idea.”

The purse bells were just one of the many crime-prevention and public safety measures on show at the pop-up shop where Neighbourhood Watch, Conwy Trading Standards and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service all had stands giving advice and safety guidance.

Mr Sandham added: “What is really good is that we had modern crime prevention messages with regard to things like cybercrime and staying safe online, alongside the traditional ones, such as preventing burglaries and thefts.

“That blend of modern and traditional crime-prevention messages is vitally important. It isn’t lost on me that if you can prevent crime you take away all the trauma victims suffer. It really is all about helping people.”

The pop-up shop was part of a month-long initiative being run by the force, which said it had been an “excellent opportunity” for the public to meet the local PCs, PCSOs, Special Constables and police cadets.