How to Avoid Purse Snatchers

You can make yourself a less attractive target for purse snatchers by following these guidelines, based on the recommendations of the FBI and the National Crime Prevention Council.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clothes With Pockets
• Money Belts
• Money Clips
• Fanny Packs
• Cellular Phones

1. Whenever possible, carry valuables in your pockets rather than in a purse.

2. Be alert at all times, and look like it.

3. Be on particular alert when leaving areas where people tend to obtain money or valuables, such as ATMs or banks. Try to use ATMs during the day, use drive-up or in-store ATMs if possible, and have your card in hand when you approach the machine.

4. When walking, keep your purse close to your body, with your hand over the clasp. If you are also carrying packages or other bags, keep your purse between your body and the packages.

5. Keep your purse with you at all times. Don't leave it unattended to tempt a purse snatcher.

6. Do not display the contents of your purse, especially large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't keep the straps of your purse wrapped around your wrist. You risk injury to yourself in a purse snatching.
• If someone does try to snatch your purse, do not fight the purse snatcher and risk injury. Instead, note the thief's characteristics - race, height, hair color and clothing - and report these to the police.

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[ecm1980]

on 5/1/2009 Good job! Excellent tips.

[apere13]

on 4/3/2009 what if we don't have a purse OR a gun?

[CrazyAce]

on 3/21/2008 Don't carry a purse, carry a gun.

[CrazyAce]

on 3/21/2008 Don't carry a purse, carry a gun.

[duangtip]

on 11/20/2006 I found a handbag almost useless when on a tour. Leave it at
the hotel and carry only a pouch over your neck with your pass
sport,cash and a plastic.(you can even sneak in a lipstick
and some tissue. I once had my digital camera snatched from
the pouch in StPetersburg by an ethnic-moustached type who
jostled me while running past at full speed. I was with three
other friends (all with camera too) but mine was picked out,
most probably it was the smallest.Be careful also of those
pickpockets who work in a team in the Paris metro with a nice
old lady as the chief operator(boarding at Franklin DRoosevelt
). The thing to do is to leave most things in the safe in your
room and only take the necessary when going out.