If someone takes my wallet or handbag, what should I do?

If someone takes my wallet or handbag, what should I do?

Steve Bending (DSI) gives expert video advice on: If someone attacks me, how can I defend myself?; If someone takes my wallet or handbag, what should I do?; If someone takes my mobile phone what should I do? and more...

I think it's important that if your wallet or handbag has been stolen that you report it to police, and it's important to differentiate between what's lost and what's stolen. If it's lost, you need to make it clear when you report something that's lost. If it's stolen, then obviously we record it as a crime and that enables us to gain a picture of crimes that are taking place in a particular area, which then obviously enables us to take action in terms of deploying police officers to patrol a particular area. So, if you are a victim of crime and have property stolen, report it to the police so that we can take action. One, to prevent other offenses taking place in the future; secondly, that gives us the information that we would potentially need to catch the person who committed the offense in the first place and prosecute them.