Detectives in Luton are appealing for witnesses to come forward after two men tried to snatch a handbag from a 33 year old woman in Farley Hill.
The incident happened on Saturday, September 21 at approximately 6.30pm as the victim was walking along the road.
Two youths, described as white, wearing hooded tops, emerged from an alley and grabbed the victim’s bag. The victim screamed and fell towards some railings but managed to keep hold of her bag before the offenders fled the scene empty handed.
The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable Jabbar Khan, is keen to trace anyone who saw or heard the incident or anyone who saw the offenders running from the scene.
Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact DC Khan, of the South Bedfordshire Robbery Unit, in confidence, at Luton Police Station on 01582 394436, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Bedfordshire Police often records an increase in robberies as the nights get darker and would like to take this opportunity to remind people who are out and about to take extra care and follow some useful crime reduction advice to help keep you and your property safe.
Keep mobile phones, money or any items of value out of sight so as not to attract a potential robber’s attention.
Avoid walking in dark areas with insufficient lighting.
Avoid walking whilst texting or talking to prevent drawing attention to your phone.
If someone suspicious approaches you, try and cross the road or walk away to limit your chances of being involved in a confrontation.
Pay attention to someone approaching you from behind.
If an offence is committed try and remember what the offender looks like so police have a good description of their face and clothes, then contact the police immediately.
Register your mobile, MP3 player or iPod on www.immobilise.com in order to discourage theft and increase security. The web site allows the public to register their mobile phone FREE, on the National Mobile Phone Register. The Register is a searchable, national police database that many forces have already assimilated in to their core investigative procedures.
Owners who register their phone at www.immbolise.com enjoy the following benefits:
Get your phone back: If you lose your phone or it’s stolen, there’s a better chance of getting it back because your contact details are on the register. Registering your phone and contact details on the web site provides the police with an excellent starting point when investigating mobile phone thefts. Police have caught and brought to justice many offenders through the use of the register.
Consider downloading a tracker app on your smart phones to help police locate your phone should it be stolen.