A HIGH-profile police campaign is tackling the increasing number of purse and wallet thefts in Warrington town centre.
Since the start of the year there have been 22 reports of this type of crime in the town centre.
Now high-visibility patrols have been increased in the main shopping areas, indoors and outdoors, at key times of the day. Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers are being deployed in the town centre, supplemented by PCSOs.
Officers will deal with incidents and offer crime reduction advice to shoppers.
Acting Inspector Neil Drum said officers are committed to tackling the issues that matter to those who live, work and visit the town centre.
He said: “This operation is one of many initiatives we are carrying out using both overt and covert policing methods to disrupt criminal activity within the town centre.
“This latest operation is addressing a key issue that is affecting shoppers and we want to reassure members of the public that we are doing all we can to reduce the number of incidents that are taking place. We want to ensure that people can come into the town centre and enjoy the shopping and leisure facilities in a safe environment.”
He reminds people to keep a close eye on their bags, purses and wallets when out shopping, and to keep purses and wallets out of site. He also advises people not to leave handbags in shopping trolleys, to ensure handbags are not left open and not leave handbags unattended.
Acting Inspector Drum said: “We need the continued support of shoppers and are urging everyone to remain alert and to be aware of their surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity then please report it to us immediately.”
He said officers work closely with businesses in the town centre and he hopes the campaign will reassure them by cutting down crime.
Anyone with information about retail crime or purse/wallet thefts is urged to call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000, or anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
A HIGH-profile police campaign is tackling the increasing number of
purse and wallet thefts in Warrington town centre.
Crackdown on town centre thefts
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
3 Comments
Immigrants
When my mum had her purse stolen a few years ago, the two women who did it were from Latvia; so yes, you are probably correct. the cop at the time did say they were having a rise in that sort of crime by Eastern European women; some of whom went robbing and took their kids in pushchairs too!
My mum was 85 at the time and she was shopping in ASDA in town when they took her purse from her bag while she was looking away from the trolley for a few seconds.
Maybe deportation after 10 years in jail would be a deterrent???
When my mum had her purse stolen a few years ago, the two women who did it were from Latvia; so yes, you are probably correct. the cop at the time did say they were having a rise in that sort of crime by Eastern European women; some of whom went robbing and took their kids in pushchairs too!
My mum was 85 at the time and she was shopping in ASDA in town when they took her purse from her bag while she was looking away from the trolley for a few seconds.
Maybe deportation after 10 years in jail would be a deterrent???