Bells to be used to catch thieves

Operation Yuletide will target Oxford Street and Marylebone High Street in central London.

An estimated five million people are expected to visit Oxford Street alone during the peak days.

Officers will also enact situations to show how unwary shoppers can become targets for thieves. Police will also give face-to face advice to shoppers.

'Handbag laundry'

Police commander Jon Morgan said: "Plain clothes officers, CCTV surveillance and SMARTWATER marked decoy bags to catch those who prey on crowded public places will all be weapons in our armoury.

"With the bells warning people if their bags are moved, we want to ring in the festive season and give the criminals a wake up alarm call they will not easily forget," he said.

Supt Morgan said he will ask shoppers to participate in "handbag laundry" to advise them not to carry unnecessary items in their bags.