Keynsham women attach bells to purses to deter thieves
The Keynsham Business Crime Reduction Partnership came up with the idea and have provided their members with a supply of 'dipping bells' for customers.
The bells have a special clip which attaches to a purse zip so if the purse is lifted from a handbag, they make a noise and alert the owner.
Thieves often target more mature people whom they consider vulnerable. One in five residents in Keynsham is retired and local businesses want to encourage shoppers to be more aware as they do their shopping.
Partnership chairman, Dave Dixon, said: "Keynsham Business Crime Reduction Partnership members work continually with our partners, the police, and this initiative will help deter the pickpockets."
Members of the partnership include New Look, Iceland, Peacocks, Somerfield, Boots, Churches newsagents, and Perfect Fit and people can collect dipping bells from these shops.
The 'dipping bells' initiative is part of Not in my Neighbourhood Week.
The aim of the week is to inform people of action being taken to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Bath and North East Somerset Council's Anti-Social Behaviour team have been working alongside the Youth Service to encourage young people to be respectful of other people and their environment. Yesterday the Anti-Social Behaviour Team was in Keynsham meeting local people to hear about their experiences.
In the past three months Keynsham police have had 33 calls about nuisance behaviour which is fewer than the same period last year.
Five young people, all under 16, were causing most of the problems. All have signed 'acceptable behaviour' contracts.
There have been no reported burglaries in south Keynsham in the past three months but six in north Keynsham - four of them in one night. There were 43 incidents of criminal damage, mainly involving cars. There were 29 assaults, though few involved an attack by a stranger.
Comment on this story