Purse bells in Yarmouth to stop thieves

sTORES in Great Yarmouth have been reporting brisk sales of purse bells in recent weeks as shoppers strive to beat the thief. The bells (right) have been selling in their thou-sands and are a simple tool in the war against pilfering.

sTORES in Great Yarmouth have been reporting brisk sales of purse bells in recent weeks as shoppers strive to beat the thief.

The bells (right) have been selling in their thou-sands and are a simple tool in the war against pilfering.

And the simple idea of a pair

of bells clipped to a purse, causing an audible alarm when disturbed, has been well received by shoppers.

Yarmouth town centre manager Jonathan Newman said: “We were taken a bit by surprise when they took off. Norfolk police originally supplied us with 1,000 of the twin bells, which we distributed amongst the shops taking part in the scheme, but we have since ordered another 2,000 to meet demand.”

Some shops agreed to stock the bells at a security meeting of partnership members. Posters have been displayed warning customers of the existence of purse thieves, who tend to prey on older, more vulnerable, shoppers.

The bells are sold at the cost price of 25p, with proceeds used to keep the stock replenished for other customers. Norfolk Constabulary crime prevention officer Penny Carpenter welcomed the initiative, which has also involved South Yarmouth Safer Neighbourhood Team. She added:“This type of crime can be very distressing for the individual.”

You can buy the bells at Palmers department store, Bon Marche and the East of England

Co-op on Market Place, and Marks and Spencer in King Street.