BELLS are being given away in Kidderminster on Saturday in an attempt to combat the problem of purse snatching.

They are designed to attach to purses and about 500 are being given away to people over 50 between 10am and 2pm at the Swan shopping centre.

The joint scheme, run by the police and Kidderminster Retail Initiative and Safety Programme - KRISP - comes after 30 purse thefts have been reported since April.

The bells, which are similar to the type cats wear on their collars, are designed to alert the owner or people on the street to any snatch attempts.

Sgt Louise Meeson, of Kidderminster police, said: "Since the new year, we have had a problem with purse thefts in Kidderminster and, hopefully, by attaching these bells to their purses, owners will become alerted to the fact that someone has taken it.

"Even if the owners don't hear it ring, someone else might and become suspicious."

Helen Dyke, KRISP's crime reduction co-ordinator, said: "Crime is rare and Kidderminster remains a very safe place in which to shop but the bells offer extra reassurance for elderly people and we hope they will help prevent further purse thefts."

Witnesses or anyone with information about the purse thefts are asked to contact Kidderminster police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.