Stay ahead of festive thieves

Dec 5 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WITH the countdown to Christmas well underway frantic festive shoppers are being urged to keep a clear head when it comes to personal security during the retail rush.

Already some unwitting shoppers have fallen foul of thieves and local police officers are keen to ensure Grinch-style criminals don’t spoil the festive season. In the most recent incident a 69-year-old Perth shopper had her purse stolen as she browsed in the St John’s Shopping Centre.

Shoppers have been warned to be one-step ahead of the Christmas criminals by ensuring their personal belongings are safe and secure so they don’t become easy prey for the light-fingered over the festive season.

Perth Inspector Dave Barclay explained: “Perth, and indeed Dundee, has experienced problems on and off over the last few months with opportunist thefts of purses and wallets, from vulnerable people in particular.”

The officer advised: “I would ask people carrying out shopping in the hectic Christmas atmosphere that they pay particular attention to the safety of their personal goods.

“I’d also suggest other shoppers and shop assistants to be vigilant and pay attention to any vulnerable members of community.

“If they see an opportunity for a thief, for example a purse sitting in an open bag, could they draw it to the owner’s attention to prevent someone’s Christmas being ruined by a cold-hearted thief,” he appealed.

Police analysts have scrutinised past patterns of purse and wallet thefts in Perth and officers now aim to be in the hot-spot areas at peak times.

But their top personal security tips include keeping wallets and purses out of sight when shopping, ensure handbags are zipped up and never left unsupervised, don’t carry large amounts of cash and do not leave shopping in full view in an unattended car.

And in order to ease stress and strain during the festive rush, senior officer Inspector Dave Barclay also urged shoppers to get their retail trip off on the right foot by making the most of the public transport system in Perth and help ease the perennial Christmas problem of bad parking blighting and blocking city centre streets.

Insp Barclay explained: “During peak periods there is a build-up of traffic congestion and parking in the town centre can become a problem which causes further traffic congestion.’’

He appealed: “Please support Perth’s public transport.

“We have two Park and Ride facilities, which at times are under-used yet they are economical and sensible, so please consider them as a good option to help ease traffic congestion and make Christmas shopping more comfortable.’’