Christmas is only two months away. Advice

Christmas is only two months away. Advice

Hello hope everyone is having a good day. 

Christmas is only two months away.

With the festive rush bringing heavy crowds to local retail hotspots, the Tipton Town Neighbourhood Policing Team has stepped up local patrols to counter opportunist pickpockets, distraction thieves, and shoplifters. 

Official winter safety guidance from West Midlands Police details exactly how to protect yourself, your shopping bags, and your vehicle while out during the Christmas period. 

Here is some advice for Tipton and Great Bridge & Princes end.

 Protecting Personal Belongings on the High Street

Whether navigating the busy aisles at Great Bridge retail parks, local supermarkets, or bustling town markets, crowded environments are prime targets for pickpockets: 

• Keep Bags Fastened and in Front: If you carry a handbag or cross-body bag, ensure it is securely zipped and keep it positioned in front of you. 

• Avoid Back Pockets: Never leave wallets, cash, or mobile phones sliding out of back pockets. Keep them tucked securely into inside jacket pockets. 

• Beware of Distraction Techniques: Be highly vigilant if a stranger approaches you closely in a shop or cafe (e.g., holding a map or newspaper to ask for directions). This is a common tactic used to mask fingers sliding valuables off a table or out of an open bag. 

• Never Leave Trolleys Unattended: Do not leave your handbag or phone resting inside a shopping trolley, even for a moment while reaching for items on a shelf. 

Vehicle Security and Gift Concealment

Returning back and forth to your vehicle to dump shopping bags makes your car a primary target for surveillance by opportunist thieves: 

• Hide the Loot: Ideally, do not return to your car to leave shopping part-way through a trip. If you must, ensure everything is locked completely out of sight inside the boot. Never leave wrapped presents or store carrier bags resting visibly on the back seats.

• Wipe Away Clues: Remove sat-nav cradles and dashcams, and wipe away suction marks left on the glass, as these signal to thieves that electronics are likely hidden in the glovebox.

• Park Safely After Dark: As winter nights draw in early, choose well-lit, highly visible spaces or accredited secure car parks rather than dark, isolated side streets. 

Safe ATM and Payment Practices

• Shield the PIN: When withdrawing cash or paying at a card terminal, always use your hand to completely shield the keypad from onlookers or hidden camera overlays. 

• Put Cash Away Immediately: Count and pack your money safely inside your wallet before stepping away from the cash machine. Do not walk down the street counting or holding loose banknotes. 

 Reporting Issues Locally

If you spot suspicious activity around parked cars or retail areas in Tipton, Great Bridge, or Princes End, report it to the local teams:

• Use the Live Chat portal on the West Midlands Police Website or call the non-emergency number 101.

• In an active emergency or if a crime is happening right now, always dial 999.

Thank you from Tipton police station.