POLICE in Shipley have been handing out purse bells to the public in a bid to drive down bag theft over the festive season.

Funded by Shipley Business Watch, more than 1,500 have been distributed to thwart opportunist thieves.

The bells are attached to a purse or bag, and when activated, they make a noise to alert the owner their bag is being tampered with.

A police spokesman said: “We would like to remind everyone to ensure they always close their handbags and carry it over the shoulder in front of them, and never leave it unattended.”