Gardaí warn of bag-snatching at shopping centres and traffic lights
By Mary Dennehy
BAG snatches from cars continue to be reported from across the area, with seven incidents reported to Tallaght Garda Station since the start of the year.
As reported in The Echo before Christmas, gangs are targeting vehicles stopped at traffic lights, parked in shopping centres or pulling into estates – with these young bandits opening doors and grabbing handbags.
Most recently, as posted on the Tallaght Neighbourhood Watch page, a woman reported that her purse was stolen from her car in Tallaght village when a man approached the driver door and told her that she had dropped some money.
While he had her attention, a second man put his hand in the passenger side and stole her purse.
According to Garda reports there has been seven reported incidents of theft from a person since January, with four incidents of robbery, which involved threat or aggression, also reported with the local station.
Reminding motorists to keep their doors locked, Tallaght Superintendent Peter Duff said: “These bag snatches happen throughout the year and at the moment we aren’t experiencing any particular spike.
“However, we have had a number of reports, especially concerning shopping centre car parks, so I would urge people to be mindful of their surroundings, lock their car doors and not leave any valuables on view.
“Shopping centre car-parks are obviously a target for these guys, so be mindful of your valuables when you are packing away your shopping or returning trolleys etc.”
He added: “We also had four reported incidents of robbery from the person, which is when a threat of violence or aggression is involved.
“We would encourage anybody who is approached or witnesses something suspicious to contact the station.” Call Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000.
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