St. Albert RCMP are warning residents to keep their purses and wallets close by to avoid theft.
In a release sent out the afternoon of Dec. 16, St. Albert RCMP said they've responded to recent community member complaints of purses being nabbed. In the release, police shared tips for avoiding purse and wallet theft.
For example, police cautioned shoppers to never leave their purse or wallet in a shopping cart, but instead to bring it with them through the store.
"You might think clipping a purse to the cart will prevent theft, but if you’re not watching or something distracts you, items can still be removed from your purse," the RCMP said in the release.
Watching your purse or wallet can be essential when you are loading purchases into your vehicle, the release said. Locking vehicle doors during the loading process, or when checking fuel or the mail are also important tips to keep in mind.
"If you walk away from your vehicle to return a shopping cart, lock all your vehicle doors," the release said.
One alternative to lugging around a purse or wallet, RCMP said, could be carrying cards such as a driver's licence and payment card in a zippered pocket.
