Stolen purse

Sorry to hear about this, NanKate. It does leave you feeling jumpy for a long time.
I once had my handbag stolen while shopping in Sainsbury's. It had everything like you had in it, and a cheque book. For months afterwards the bank was cashing cheques because they were using them to pay council house rent. They even accused me of keeping back the cheque book and trying to defraud the bank.
Would never go back to that bank again.
Good luck with all your cards, etc.

How desperately sad Ann it puts things into perspective for me. Poor you.

A few years ago my friend's house was broken into and some of her jewellery was stolen. Although I said to her how awful that was, I realise now she must have felt violated and I should have offered her more support, so when I see her next I will offer her an apology, rather belated but well meant.

was going to say as OP has, maybe if you have a backpack to wear it frontwards rather than backwards, bit like those babycarriers, also bumbags are such an easy target, easy to undo the clasp at the back..I suppose we are easy targets when we carry any kind of bag/handbag/satchel/etc as thieves know our purses/cards etc are in that bag. If I can depending on what I am wearing, carry my card and bit of cash in my pocket, even in most jackets you can make a little zip pocket.

Thank you Nan Kate and I feel I should elaborate. My father died when I was 11 and to be truthful I can hardly remember him. After he died my mother gave his clothes to family (this was 1949) and an uncle found a silver threepenny bit in a pocket. This was given to me and I kept it all that time as the only thing I remembered him by.When I started keeping it in my purse I can't remember but it was always with me. When it was stolen it was a loss hard to explain.

Thanks Loopylou I will follow up your suggestion.

Thank you Rosequartz. I seem to remember seeing an article which I never got round to reading.

Yes Ashtree I did think how lucky I was to have my DH ready and able to stop the cards, it was all done within 20 minutes of the theft. It made me realise how difficult it must be for people living on their own.

The irony of today's events is that my DS trained as a professional Bodyguard as part of his research for a book he was writing. He gave me lots of advice on keeping safe, but none that I can remember on avoiding bag thieves.

I used to walk around town carrying my purse in my hand for convenience, would never keep it in a handbag or shopping bag, but after lectures from my daughters and daughters in law, I now use cross body bags, in winter, underneath my coat, but in summer, of course, it has to be there on display. My friend, who is disabled and uses one of those wheel frame things for her shopping, ordered a taxi the other week from her usual company, but got a driver she`d never seen before. Instead of putting her wheels, from which she (very silly) left her handbag hanging from, into the boot as they usually do, he put it on the back seat, taking a while, and complaining when he got into the car that he`d hurt his finger. When they reached her destination, he got her wheels out, she opened her handbag to get her purse to pay him, but her purse was missing. After searching the house when she got home and not finding the purse, her husband made her call the police. The police asked her the name of the taxi driver, when she told them, they gave each other a strange look, as though the name meant something to them, but she`s still minus her purse, which contained £120.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3047867/How-stop-pocket-picked-man-pinch-wallet-watch-tie-without-noticing.html

It is from the dreaded DM so may not be true

Hope you feel better now NanKate, it shakes you up

Annsixty how very sad you lost a precious item, I feel for you At least I can replace my grandsons' photos.

WhenIwasyourage I like your style.

I think you can buy thief proof backpacks NanKate, I remember reading about them in a trekking magazine so might be worth googling. I believe the fabric is reinforced and zips hidden.
Your language is mild in comparison to what mine would be, certainly no need to apologise x

I was reading something the other day with tips and advice from a now reformed pickpocket. I will try to find it.
DD had her purse stolen on the Underground when she was younger and quite hard up. She knew something had happened but when she turned round the man behind her was eyeballing her and she felt very nervous. When she checked her purse had gone and so had he.

Thanks Gransnetter friends I do appreciate your kind words.

I am feeling better now that I have managed to re-order my cards which were numerous such as Boots Card, Library card, sports club, National trust, driving licence, AA card, plus credit and debit cards.

I have learned my lesson, I do have a crossover front bag which I shall be using from now on. The reason I use a backpack is because I can't carry shopping very far as it does my shoulders in.

There are some mean ba******s out there. Sorry for the bad language but this theft has not brought out the best in me.

Hope you feel better soon, NanKate and that the horrible people who did this to you stepped in dog sh1t on leaving the shop.

Thieves do not care about anyone's feelings, they are taking what they want and that is all that matters to them. Never attribute these people with consciences because they don't have one.
NanKate hope you are feeling less wobbly now, it does take a while to get over the shock.

It is so horrid - that feeling of your space having been violated and abused. Do these thieves realise how upsetting it is over and above the loss of belongings?

I remember going to Venice 16 years ago and my DDs (who were with me) being very concerned about having slash-proof bag straps and not using the cashpoint without them standing round me to prevent theft. It seemed so sad to be surrounded by all that beauty and yet have to be so wary.

Terribly upsetting for you.
A while ago, On the underground, I was suspicious of the man next to me rummaging in my bag, just as the train was drawing into the station. He hurriedly rushed out.
I checked my bag, only to discover that he had taken my makeup bag. Ha Ha he thought he had my purse.

What a rotten thing to happen NanKate. Virtual theft (ie card cloning) is bad enough but I am sure that this experience has left a very nasty taste. I hope you can relax with and/or . Chatting to a fellow passenger on a train one day, I was shown a backpack she had bought in Canada which only opened on the body side, not on the side facing potential thieves. I thought that was a pretty good idea but don't know it has reached this country. When I'm abroad I use a cross body bag, reinforced and slash-proof. Perhaps I should use it in M&S.

A horrid thing to happen- an easy day's pickings for the thieves. Thankfully as you said, it was not your last £30 but that is not the point, it was hard earned money- maybe not now but in previous years. I try to distribute cards, keys and cash throughout pockets in case my bag is stolen. Difficult in summer when I do not wear a cardigan. Winter has some compensations!

So very sorry to read this NanKate. It leaves you feeling shaken, doesn't it. I often keep my money in one of those pouches that walkers use, so it's strapped around my middle and carried on the front. Don't let it stop you enjoying a visit to M&S

How awful, NanKate! At least you were somewhere with people to look after you.

I think across-the-body bags are much safer than backpacks, which are easy targets for pickpockets.

Oh NanKate I am ^so* sorry. you must have been so shaken, and tearful. I know I would have been.

Lots of ((hugs)) to you. I hope you feel happier again soon. xxx

How awful for you, but unfortunately I know how you feel....

A horrible thing to happen. Underhanded and mean.

I tell myself that what goes around... comes around !!

Oh no how horrible for you. I have sometimes been a real busy body and mentioned to people in shops that I can see their purse in an open bag as they are walking along. It does make you feel wobbly and upset.
I was sitting on a bus once on the end seat opposite the stairs. A young chap came down the stairs and grabbed my handbag which was on my lap. Fortunately I was quick enough to hold onto it and the doors opened
and he ran off. I never sit near the stairs now. for you NanKate

That must have been a shock for you

NanKate I have had that happen to me and it is a really devastating feeling. I was tearful for days. I also lost something precious and irreplaceable and that was worse than any other of the things. X