Purse bells to ward off thieves

A shopper attaches a purse bell to her wallet

Police have been handing out purse bells to shoppers in Banbury, as part of a campaign to reduce thefts.

The bells can be attached to wallets and purses so that people will hear thieves trying to take them.

Since the start of this year, one shopper a week has had their purse stolen in Banbury.

Crime reduction officer Jane Taylor said: "Offenders will hear it too, so it's a deterrent to them as well as an aid to shoppers."

More than 1,000 purse bells have been handed out in Banbury and in Bicester during the last two days.