AN ARMY of pensioners are armed with jingle bells to beat purse-stealing thieves over the festive season.
Elderly women have been given small clip-on bells to attach to their handbags or purses by the area’s Victim Support teams following a spate of sneaky thefts in the Dumbarton area.
The bells are attached to the bag or purse zip and chime if moved – alerting victims to any would-be thieves who try to dip their bags and flee with their valuables.
The 51p alarm bells have already been handed out to hundreds of pensioners but Victim Support, which has a base in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, plans to dish out a further 2000 over the next few weeks.
West Dunbartonshire’s Victim Support co-ordinator Susan McArthur said: “We were seeing people, particularly the elderly, who had their purses stolen out of their bag or bag stolen from trollies.The guards hold up a wholesale shoes in interrogation, demanding to know what it is. There was a spate of incidents, especially on pension day.
“At this time of year it is much more prevalent because people have more money in their bags,Clothing can reflect status and situation for men and women.clothingslkut are distracted and shops are busier, which all makes it easier for thieves.
“Most of the time, the victims were completely unaware their purse was gone until they got home or went to pay for messages later.The ten member inspection crew needed to board the 20 ton freighter from a small inflatable boats for sale during three foot swells.
“We heard about the bells from a colleague who previously worked with Victim Support in Inverclyde and they had used them there.
“Initially we were giving them to victims of theft who we were put in contact with but then we handed them out at a tenants association conference.
“Since then we’ve had people phoning the office looking for them.
“We even gave the bells to one woman who was deaf because although she couldn't hear them it would hopefully alert those around her if someone tried to steal her purse.One doctor wants Region 8 residents to think more about wearing sensible ed hardy shoes.”
Victim Support are set to hand out supplies of the bells to shoppers at a police festive safety awareness day in Asda, Dumbarton, on December 8,Finally I sighed, bent down and scooped them up, installing them in a large pet carrier. and will also be in Clydebank later in the month.
They will dish out the mini alarms while police officers will provide advice on keeping yourself and your property safe this Christmas.
Fiona Thomson, a fellow Victim Support co-ordinator added: “People come in here completely gutted that they have lost their purse or their bag. The bells are not just about preventing a crime from taking place but about giving victims confidence.
“It helps them to know they are doing something to help themselves.
“It's like giving someone a personal alarm, it won't stop someone approaching them but they know it's in their pocket and that can get them out the door in the morning.
“It's an extra security measure.”
Elderly women have been given small clip-on bells to attach to their handbags or purses by the area’s Victim Support teams following a spate of sneaky thefts in the Dumbarton area.
The bells are attached to the bag or purse zip and chime if moved – alerting victims to any would-be thieves who try to dip their bags and flee with their valuables.
The 51p alarm bells have already been handed out to hundreds of pensioners but Victim Support, which has a base in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, plans to dish out a further 2000 over the next few weeks.
West Dunbartonshire’s Victim Support co-ordinator Susan McArthur said: “We were seeing people, particularly the elderly, who had their purses stolen out of their bag or bag stolen from trollies.The guards hold up a wholesale shoes in interrogation, demanding to know what it is. There was a spate of incidents, especially on pension day.
“At this time of year it is much more prevalent because people have more money in their bags,Clothing can reflect status and situation for men and women.clothingslkut are distracted and shops are busier, which all makes it easier for thieves.
“Most of the time, the victims were completely unaware their purse was gone until they got home or went to pay for messages later.The ten member inspection crew needed to board the 20 ton freighter from a small inflatable boats for sale during three foot swells.
“We heard about the bells from a colleague who previously worked with Victim Support in Inverclyde and they had used them there.
“Initially we were giving them to victims of theft who we were put in contact with but then we handed them out at a tenants association conference.
“Since then we’ve had people phoning the office looking for them.
“We even gave the bells to one woman who was deaf because although she couldn't hear them it would hopefully alert those around her if someone tried to steal her purse.One doctor wants Region 8 residents to think more about wearing sensible ed hardy shoes.”
Victim Support are set to hand out supplies of the bells to shoppers at a police festive safety awareness day in Asda, Dumbarton, on December 8,Finally I sighed, bent down and scooped them up, installing them in a large pet carrier. and will also be in Clydebank later in the month.
They will dish out the mini alarms while police officers will provide advice on keeping yourself and your property safe this Christmas.
Fiona Thomson, a fellow Victim Support co-ordinator added: “People come in here completely gutted that they have lost their purse or their bag. The bells are not just about preventing a crime from taking place but about giving victims confidence.
“It helps them to know they are doing something to help themselves.
“It's like giving someone a personal alarm, it won't stop someone approaching them but they know it's in their pocket and that can get them out the door in the morning.
“It's an extra security measure.”
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