Jingle Bells will have a different ring to it this Christmas for people who buy a new deterrent aimed at stopping pickpockets.

Police are promoting the use of bells to stop pickpockets targeting Borehamwood shoppers during the Christmas rush.

The Borehamwood Neighbourhood Team is selling so-called purse-dipping bells to shoppers to help reduce the seasonal increase in thefts of purses.

Police community support officer Chris Messetter, from Borehamwood’s Neighbourhood Team, said: “The bells are attached to a purse and if someone tries to take it, they are immediately alerted. We often find victims of pickpockets do not realise their purse has been taken for quite some time, so we do not know where their purse was taken or have any descriptions of the people responsible.”

On average, there is more than one victim of pickpocketing every week in Borehamwood.

Between April and November there were 45 cases of thefts from people in Borehamwood, including bag snatches, purses left unattended and pickpocketing. The figure is lower than the same period last year when there were 49.

Mr Messetter added: “Unfortunately, pickpockets often prey on the elderly and vulnerable members of our community so we hope this crime prevention measure may help reduce the chances of them becoming a victim, especially at Christmas time, and also act as a deterrent.

“We want to help reduce the number of victims, but we need the community to also look out for the more vulnerable members of our community.”

He will be joined by Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Derrick Sweeney, who will be speaking to shoppers about household alarms, home safety and security, at Tesco in Shenley Road between 10am and 2pm on Friday. The bells cost 50p To speak to the Safer Neighbourhood Team call 01727 796630 or for information on Neighbourhood Watch call Mr Sweeney on 01727 796650.