Shoppers in the Derbyshire Dales can get their hands on free purse chains to help keep them safe during the run up to Christmas.
The police and Derbyshire Dales District Council have joined forces to provide the chains as part of a bid to prevent purse thefts in Bakewell, Ashbourne and Matlock.
They can be used to attach the purse to a zip inside a handbag, to make it more difficult for the purse to be stolen and increase the chances of alerting the shopper, who might feel the purse being ‘tugged’. It can be easy to become distracted while you are out and about browsing the shops but we would always urge people to make sure that they keep their handbags zipped up and their purse out of sight.
In Ashbourne people can get hold of the chains by calling at the Ashbourne News Telegraph office on Market Place or from Ashbourne police station, Compton Road.
Tips for safer shopping include:
• Keep your bag closed and with the opening towards your body.
• Do not leave bags, purses and wallets unattended and on show.
• Close your purse and put it away before you leave the till.
• Avoid carrying wallets and purses in back pockets.
• Do not leave your handbag unattended in a pushchair or shopping trolley.
To contact your local Safer Neighbourhood policing team call 101, the new police non-emergency number or alternatively you can email from the website.
PARWICH.ORG 
As a Londoner, I would say always shop with a bag that’s got a strap across your shoulder and keep your right hand (if you’re right handed) on it when you’re shopping. When you’re browsing – just keep your hand over your bag. It’s often when you are distracted that folk can ‘dip in’ to your bag. Happy shopping!