Out Shopping
Don’t give opportunist thieves the chance to bag your
belongings!
North Wales is a great place to go
out shopping, with a whole mix of big stores and smaller
independent shops and markets.
However crowds, music, noise and aching feet can all make
shopping quite stressful.
But make sure you stay alert at all times. You might be rushing
to get it all done, chatting with a friend you’ve just bumped into
or queuing at the cash desk, opportunist thieves are always after
small items like mobile phones and purses, so keep them close and
keep them secure.
- DON’T LEAVE YOUR HANDBAG UNATTENDED in
shopping baskets or trolleys, pushchairs or mobility scooters.
- In cafes and restaurants keep bags on your lap, between your
feet or place the strap around a chair leg. Don’t hang your
bag on the back of your chair where you can’t keep an eye on
it.
- DON’T LEAVE YOUR MOBILE PHONE ON THE TABLE.
Mobile phones are frequently targetted by thieves and easily swiped
when your back is turned even just for a minute. Check out our tips
on how to protect your phone should it become stolen.
- While walking about KEEP HANDBAGS CLOSE TO YOUR
BODY, and closed at all times. Choose a bag that can
be zipped. Your purse and phone should be well hidden and tucked
away out of sight, and out of easy reach, of pickpockets.
- Be particularly careful on public transport, keep your bag
where you can see it. If you carry a rucksack, wear it on your
front rather than on your back or over your shoulder.
- In public toilets, DON’T PLACE YOUR BAG ON THE
FLOOR as it could be snatched from the outside. If there
is one, use the hook on the back of the door instead.
- KEEP THE AMOUNT OF VALUABLES INSIDE HANDBAGS TO AN
ABSOLUTE MINIMUM and do not carry large amounts of
cash.
- BE MINDFUL OF DISTRACTIONS, thieves working in
pairs may try to divert your attention in order to steal your
handbag.
- Avoid carrying too much around with you, the more bags you’ve
got the more vulnerable you are.
- If you need to take shopping back to your car, put bags in the
boot – don’t leave them where they can be seen.
- For more advice on keeping your car and its contents secure
while out shopping and when you get home, see our Vehicle
Security page.