Last month a 'PutPockets' team was invited to the town centre by the Dover Partnership Against Crime (DPAC). Their initiative was to show local residents the dangers of leaving bags and pockets open whilst shopping, particularly in the run up to Christmas.
The video follows a professional magician, Rob James, who is fitted with a covert video camera. He is seen putting cards, the same size as a smartphone, into the open pockets and bags of shoppers.
These shoppers were then stopped by members of the production team who explained what had happened and filmed their reactions.
On one occasion James distracted a couple by asking directions, on another he slipped the card into the pocket of an engineer who was up a ladder and he was even able to put cards the size of ipads into some people's bags.
Rob James said: "It was easier than I thought and we had a greater number of hits than we expected."
Sergeant Carl Lidgley from Dover's Community Policing Team said: "Shoppers who leave their bags open provide a golden opportunity for thieves to help themselves."
"I urge people to be more vigilant by making sure their valuables are somewhere where they can feel them, like an inside breast pocket, if someone does try to steal them."
Karen Griffiths, Co-ordinator of the DPAC, said: "We saw so many people with their bags open and purses, mobile phones and other valuables clearly on show. It's really important to make people aware that theft can, and does, happen to anyone."
Many of the shoppers realised that if somebody could put something into their bag, they could just as easily take something out. One woman said: "It won't be open again."
The Personal Safety section of the Kent Police website has a downloadable guide which includes tips such as:
- Keep your bag fastened and at the front of your body.
- Keep valuables out of sight, spread around your person. For example, keep your phone in a bag, your house keys in a pocket and your money in a jacket.
- Never leave your belongings unattended or in easy reach. For example on the top of a pram, a shopping trolley or mobility scooter.
The video was developed by the Dover Partnership Against Crime with grants by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Awards for All lottery fund.
