Police launch crackdown on market day purse thieves

In the past four months, there have been 25 purse thefts reported in Northallerton.

Officers say the problem is not unique to the town -- but have launched a major effort to curb the number the thefts.

The incidents have all happened without the victim's knowledge, and have usually taken place on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market is in the High Street and the town is at its busiest.

Yesterday, Northallerton police and the local community safety partnership teamed up to try to educate shoppers, in particular elderly people, about taking care of their belongings while in the town centre.

A mobile police station was parked near Northallerton Town Hall.

Officers were on hand to give community safety advice and information to shoppers, and talk through the best way to keep their valuables safe.

They advised people to keep their property with them at all times, but also to make sure they do not have purses or mobile phones on show.

Officers said people should not carry all their money in their purses, splitting it instead between purses and inner pockets.

Cards and cheque books should be kept separate.

Wheelchair users should also keep their belongings beside them, rather than on the back of the chair.

The campaign will also see a series of high-visibility police patrols on market days and operations aimed at targeting offenders.

PC John Trueman, of Northallerton's neighbourhood policing team, said: "What we and our partners are aiming to achieve is to help people to help themselves to protect their personal property.

"Northallerton is no different to any other similar-sized market town when it comes to such thefts. The advice will stand individual members of the public in good stead wherever they go."

The campaign will see police officers and police community support officers working in conjunction with Hambleton District Council, Broadacres Housing Association, the Post Office, charity shops and cafes, and the town's Shopwatch organisation.