Hamilton OAPs warned as bag thieves strike again

Sep 17 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

SHOPPERS were this week warned to be on their guard after a spate of robberies on elderly women at stores in Hamilton town centre.

Police issued the alert after two OAPs were robbed in the Hamilton Regent Centre in a 15-minute period.

In the first incident, a 74-year-old woman was left distraught after she was robbed of £340 at Marks and Spencer on Friday, September 4, between 10.30am and 10.45am.

The pensioner had put her handbag in a trolley while she was going around the store.

While she was distracted, a thief targeted the OAP and snatched her handbag from the trolley.

She didn’t realise that her bag, containing the cash, was missing until later.

And 15 minutes after the that incident, an 82-year-old woman had her handbag stolen while she buying a lottery ticket at the nearby WH Smith store.

She is believed to been writing out her numbers at the lottery counter and placed her bag on the floor for a moment when the robber pounced.

The shaken victim said that two women were standing close to her at the lottery stand when the theft occurred.

Police haven’t ruled out that both incidents are linked and are examining CCTV camera footage in a bid to identify the thieves.

A Hamilton Police spokesman said: “Although unhurt, these elderly ladies are badly shaken by their ordeal.

“It’s a despicable crime on two of the most vulnerable members of society.”

The spokesman has appealed for witnesses to come forward before the thieves strike again.

“The Regent Centre is a busy shopping area and there would have been lots of people in Marks and Spencer and WH Smith at the times of the incidents.

“I would urge people who may have seen anything in either store to come forward to police.”

Last month the Advertiser reported how pensioners and women shoppers were given free silver-coloured bells in a bid to beat the bag thieves known to be operating in Hamilton town centre.

Hamilton and District Crime Safety Prevention handed out bells to shoppers at the Regent Centre.

The aim of the scheme was to make it difficult for pick-pockets to steal from victims.

The safety group snapped up 400 bells after they became concerned gangs of thieves were targeting elderly and vulnerable shoppers in major supermarkets and retail parks.

The bells can be attached to a purse or wallet and if the mugger attempts to steal the bag the bell will ring to alert the owner.

The police spokesman added: “Shoppers should keep their purses or wallets in their possession at all times.

“They should make sure their purses and bags are secure at all times.

“I would advise people not to carry large sums of cash on them and whenever possible pay by debit or credit card.

“Anyone who wishes safety advice or how to obtain a silver bell should contact Hamilton Police’s Community Safety Department on 01698 202300.”