04 July 2009Local residents who want to ensure their purses remain safe from thieves when they are out can pick up free security purse chains from their local police station.
The purse chains aim to prevent the potential stealing of residents purses from handbags, with one end of the chain clipping directly on to the handbag and the other end onto the purse.
The chains are available from Sevenoaks and Swanley Police Stations and have been funded by the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership.
Cllr Keith Loney, Sevenoaks District Council member with responsibility for Community Safety, says: "Whilst the District is an extremely safe place to live, it is essential that residents make sure their belonging are safe. It is not only money that can be stolen, but also photos and other items of sentimental value that cannot be replaced. These free security chains go someway to protecting them for you."
Other community safety and crime reduction devices funded by the Community Safety Partnership such as timer switches, shed alarms and personal alarms are also available from Police Community Support Officers and Kent County Council Community Wardens.
Crime figures released by Kent Police last month show that Sevenoaks District is officially the safest District in Kent, having the lowest recorded number of crimes in the whole of the county last year.
The figures reported that between April 2006 and March 2007 there were 7,286 offences in the District, an 8% reduction on the previous years figure of 7,948, and the lowest of the 12 local authorities and one unitary authority in Kent. This included the lowest number of recorded theft offences.
The Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership brings together all of the agencies who can have an effect on reducing crime and the fear of crime. It includes representatives from Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council, Kent Probation Service, Youth Offending Service, local health providers, housing associations, the voluntary sector and Kent Fire & Rescue Service.
Further information can be found by visiting the community safety page of Sevenoaks District Council’s website, www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/communitysafety.
