Byline: BY FIONNUALA BOURKE
IT IS the latest crime-busting initiative from West Midlands Police.
Jingle bells.
Cops are handing out jingle bells to women revellers in Birmingham to ward off would be bag snatchers.
They believe the jangling noise will deter opportunist thieves.
But within two hours of attaching them to my bag, it was STOLEN.
t5 tube with led I was one of the first people to try out the scheme.
When I left The Cross Bar in Moseley on Friday night a Birmingham bobby presented me with a pair of jingling bells to attach to my handbag.
No expense was spared. There were two officers dutifully standing outside the popular pub with bags full of the steel baubles.
At first my friend and I thought they were fellowrevellers in fancydress, and having a bit of a laugh. But the pair assured us they were genuine.
They were on hand to issue jingle bells to all female drinkers in the area to help protect their bags from theft.
"You might want to be in a very quiet spot at the time," one explained to me.
"But the idea is that if someone tries to take your bag they will cause the bells to jangle. You will become aware of what is happening and stop them from taking your bag."
After a few minutes of bewilderment, my friend and I accepted the police bells and decided to give them a go.
We are taxpayers after all, so it's our money that is helping to fund the new scheme. Off we went to another venue - The Junction, just across the road.
Once inside, our friends were all fascinated by the crime-buster bells.
And although you couldn't hear them ringing against the background of the busy bar, at least they added a touch of style. But our amusement fell on hollow ground just two hours later when it was time to leave.
Chanel Bags My bag was nowhere to be found. It had been stolen. Panic ensued. My car keys, house keys, mobile phone and debit card were all inside.
I didn't have any cash, but cancelling this lot and finding replacements was going to prove a pain.
But I was lucky. A doorman discovered my bag just outside the door.
Everything was still inside - and the police bells were still safely attached.
Someone had rifled through the bag, obviously searching for cash, then dropped it by the door.
embroidered patches A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "This is a local initiative by the crime reduction unit at Woodbridge Road police station.
"It is not expected to be rolled out across the force. There is not much cost implication."
Do you think jingle bells will deter crime? Write to Ho Ho Ho, Sunday Mercury Letters, Weaman Street, Birmingham B4 6AY or e-mail sundaymercury@ sundaymercury.net
CAPTION(S):
VICTIM: Fionnuala Bourke with her jingle bells.
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