Policeman looks to tie bag thieves up in knots

Published on Friday 15 January 2010 10:18

IT IS a simple invention which one bobby hopes will get handbag thieves tied up in knots.

Community police officer Simon Daley has come up with a simple anti-theft device which is looped around the handle of a bag and then connected to a shopping trolley, restaurant table or chair leg to prevent opportunist snatchers from making off with the goods.

The idea has sparked interest across the Capital and may even be considered for manufacture by one of the country's leading supermarket chains.

Pc Simon Daley said: "People keep asking me if I intend to go on Dragons' Den with this, but I don't.

"Most handbag thieves are opportunist. This is just about making it more difficult for them."

The idea for the invention came to Pc Daley in November when he was making routine patrols of Tesco on Broughton Road.

He noticed that when shoppers turned round to pick something off a shelf, or out of a freezer, they often left handbags unattended in a trolley.

He said: "I'm certainly no handbag expert but I thought it would be good to have something that could attach the bag to the trolley, or to a chair or table leg when people are out eating or in a pub."

Pc Daley began brainstorming, asking relatives and police colleagues for their views before arriving at his prototype – a simple piece of elastic with a plastic slider and a duffel coat-style peg on the end.

He believes the invention could be made more attractive by using different materials, colours and accessories, depending on a user's preference.

The policeman has entered preliminary talks with Tesco to see if it would consider manufacturing the item and issuing it to shoppers for a small fee.

An alternative would be for the devices to be made by volunteers in Edinburgh, with all proceeds going to charity.

Pc Daley said: "It's very early days and there are lots of options, but I'm certainly not trying to make any money out of this myself.

"These can be made very cheaply – as little as 30p each."

As part of his research for the invention, Pc Daley visited cafes and supermarkets to determine whether the public would be in favour of using the devices.

One woman revealed she had been a victim of handbag theft twice, while others questioned said they would feel more comfortable in public if they knew their bags were safe.

Pc Daley said: "I don't think handbag theft is a massive problem in Edinburgh at the moment and would hate to alarm people, but it does happen.

"This is all about prevention – making it harder for people to make off with one quickly."

Graham Bell, from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said he welcomed any invention that could increase safety in shopping centres, restaurants and bars across the Capital.

He said: "If this is a truly worthwhile invention, this policeman should definitely team up with someone that can make it available to others."