Safety Tips To Foil A Purse Snatcher
As with most crimes, purse-snatching is a crime of opportunity. Criminals are attracted to targets that are easy and inviting. Your best defense is to take steps to make your property uninviting to criminals. In other words, the harder you make it, the less likely you are to become a crime victim.
You can minimize your chances of becoming a purse snatching victim by following a few simple precautions:
Don't carry a shoulder bag over your shoulder. This makes it easier for a thief to grab your bag, knock you down and injure you.
Carry a small clutch-type handbag underneath your arm.
Don't walk with your purse dangling or wrap the strap around your shoulder, neck or wrist. A strong tug from a thief could injure you.
"Fanny packs" are a safe alternative to the traditional purse. They're worn tight and close to the body, making them harder to grab.
Shop with a friend. You're safer when you're not alone.
Don't carry large sums of money, valuable jewelry or all of your credit cards in your purse. Instead, carry only what you need for the day. This includes one check instead of the whole checkbook.
Don't leave your purse in shopping carts or on counters -- even for a moment. That's an invitation to a thief.
While nothing is foolproof, common-sense precautions will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a purse snatching. Practicing these safety tips will act as a deterrent to purse snatchers and increase the likelihood that thieves will pass you by and move on to an easier mark.
