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A scheme designed to prevent pickpockets targeting shoppers in the run up to Christmas has been hailed a success.

Last month, the Bury East Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) gave out 600 purse alarms to shoppers in Bury town centre over a three-day period as part of an operation designed to crackdown on crime over the festive period.

During the operation, the number of incidents of theft from the person went down by 43 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Officers also distributed alarms to older people in Bury East via residential homes, sheltered accommodation, community centres and local shops and post offices.

Funding for the alarms came from Bury Business Against Crime (BBAC) which is made up of a variety of partner organisations including local businesses, police, Bury Council and the town centre management team.

The alarms clip the purse to the inside of a bag and emit a piercing 110 decibel sound – roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a chainsaw – if a thief tries to steal it.

Inspector Charlotte Cadden who heads the Bury East NPT said: “We got some excellent feedback from members of the public and local businesses about the alarms which have proved to be an extremely useful tool to deter pickpockets.

“We carry out regular patrols of the town centre area as a matter of routine and will continue to target the activities of pickpockets. I would also advise shoppers never to leave bags unattended on the back of a buggy or shopping trolley as it will take an opportunist thief just a few seconds to steal your possessions.”

Bury Town Centre Manager Lisa Durkin said: “The operation was a great success and the BBAC partnership is committed to helping the police prevent crime in the town centre in order to ensure that Bury is a safe and enjoyable place to visit, shop and work all year round.”