The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) in partnership with Scotmid Co-operative have launched an awareness campaign aimed at advising members of the public to keep their purses and mobile phones secure.
The ‘Watch Your Purse & Phone!!’ initiative is also supported by Police Scotland who are distributing posters and credit card size advice cards which provide guidance on this area of personal security. Purse theft is known to increase significantly in the run up to the festive season and mobile phone theft is also a growing trend within our communities. Considerable distress and inconvenience can be caused to the victims who not only lose money, contact details, bank and credit cards but could also see personal information and photographs fall into the hands of criminals.
Chief Inspector Damian Armstrong, Assistant Director of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, stated “The ‘Watch your Purse & Phone!!’ initiative is built on the strong media and community awareness purse campaigns coordinated by the SBRC over recent years. This year I am delighted to gain the support of Scotmid and Semichem who have assisted in the design and publication of leaflets and posters. l have arranged for the literature to be circulated across the Police Scotland Divisions with local Community Policing officers distributing the information into the heart of our communities.”
Jim McFedries, Head of Profit Protection for Scotmid Co-operative explained “ We are delighted to be sponsoring this years ‘Watch Your Purse & Phone!!’ campaign and identify this as an important message to pass on to all our customers and staff. We recognise the importance of creating safe and secure communities and support the SBRC and Police Scotland in this campaign.”
Inspector Gavin Smith from Police Scotland Glasgow City Centre Community Policing stated “Our Community Policing officers are an integral part of the local community. They are aware of the distress caused to any victim of crime, particularly the elderly or vulnerable. With this in mind Glasgow City Centre Community Policing officers, and others across Police Scotland, will assist in maximising awareness of the issues around purse and mobile phone theft and will work hard to protect all members of our community. Glasgow City Centre Community Policing Team recognise that by working in partnership with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre and Scotmid Co-operative we can all contribute to Keeping People Safe across Scotland.”
This initiative seeks to raise awareness of this crime type by reminding members of the public:
- Never leave bags unattended
- Not to keep any handbags on a buggy or shopping trolley
- Keep all valuables secure, out of sight and bags zipped up
- Use PIN code to secure your phone
- Security mark the phone and register it with your operator
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying your phone in public
- Register your phone with www.immobilise.com