Handbag envy ... or may be not?

Feb. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Recent figures released by the Ministry of Justice revealed that the number of crimes committed by women in England and Wales has risen by 22% over four years. Perhaps more disturbing is the age of the offenders: nearly 58,000 were committed by girls aged between 10 and 17 in 2007-08 – up by 10,000 on 2003-04.

“Historically people have been more fearful of men when they are out and about, but times are changing,” comments Protectyourbubble’s Stephen Ebbett. He goes on to say: “If another woman is eying up your prize Prada, Fendi or Marc Jacobs, it might not be envy; it could be that she’s actually looking for an opportunity to snatch it.”

While the bag itself might be a treasured possession, its contents are more of interest to the opportunistic thief looking for iPods, mobiles and Blackberries to sell on or the cash and cards in the purse.

Jo Walker, spokesperson for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, says: “Women need to consider the risks to their personal safety and think about how to avoid violence and aggression. As valuable as the bag may be, if a woman is threatened – even by another woman – then we always advise that they give up their bag rather than put up a fight. They should throw it away as far as possible to distract their attacker and give themselves time to get away safely.”

Protectyourbubble.com is a new ethical insurer that provides policies designed to look after individual lifestyles. Its personal emergency cover provides insurance for personal possessions while out and about and a service that will get someone home, contact friends and family, and cancel plastic cards and mobile phones. Policies cost from as little as £5 a month and for every policy sold, Protectyourbubble.com donates £1 to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the leading charity for personal safety.

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