Don't expect pickpockets and purse snatchers to look like "Fagin's apprentices"

PC David Wise of Pickersleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team said people should be suspicious of people finding a reason to come too close such as helpful strangers.

There was a suspected incident of 'purse dipping' at the car boot sale in Monksfield Lane, Newland, near Malvern on Saturday, May 2 at around 9.30am. A woman barged into a the victim and when she checked her handbag later she found her purse was missing.

PC Wise added: "Don't typecast people A thief may well not be the person you might expect. Pickpockets tend to make themselves inconspicuous and meld into a crowd. They won’t necessarily look like Fagin’s apprentices.”

Examples he said could include strangers telling you that may have dropped something, asking the time or for directions or, less fashionably than used to be the case, a light for a cigarette.

PC Wise said: "Any of these overtures may have an ulterior motive. Be alert to anyone stopping to tie their shoelaces rather too close or who bumps into you or touches you."

Techniques include holding a jacket and sneaking one hand under it to effect a theft, edging something left on the floor away inch by inch from where it started until it is in a good position to snatch.

PC Wise said people could help protect themselves against theft by not leaving a bag open, especially if it has anything worth stealing inside, keeping things in an inside pocket rather than a back one, particularly mobile phones and wallets and wearing a body belt under your clothes and keeping valuables in that.

People are also advised to avoid showing wedges of money and to avoid using bags made of thin material that reveal what might be in them and can be slit surreptitiously with a small knife and the contents extricated. Zips should be kept closed.

Personal safety comes first If you do become the victim of a theft remember your personal safety is the priority"

Report stolen property to a police officer either in person or via 101.