Beware of bag snatching in Phuket: Tourist Police
PHUKET: Phuket Tourist Police Foreign Volunteers have issued a warning after a series of “purse snatching” incidents by drive-by motorcyclists in Patong and Karon in recent weeks.
Tuesday 28 February 2012, 10:13AM
Frank Tomenson, Group Leader for the Phuket Tourist Police Foreign Volunteers, said offenders tended to target women with shoulder bags or handbags, driving past and grabbing the bag from them.
Kathu Police caught one offender over the weekend, and there were two incidents in Karon, one last weekend and one last night. The victims received injuries after being pulled and dragged.
“In most cases the attack comes from behind and is very quick,” he said.
“It is worth reminding visitors of this potential risk and being careful of how they carry their handbags and what they carry with them (i.e. not large amounts of cash, numerous credit cards or passports).”
Mr Tomenson recommends people to carry a copy of their passport, rather than the original, and advises people involved in such incidents to report to the nearest police station, or call 191/1155.
