PURSE SNATCHING
Street Crime Safety Tips for Women
FAQ

Purse snatching is common because it's such an easy crime. Learn what to never do, how to stay safe and lose as little as possible.

A Berkeley CA woman was walking home when a car pulled up alongside. Two teenage girls got out and began following her, then one ran up and grabbed her purse strap. The woman fought back and the other teen began kicking her. Then the car pulled up and the girls got in – still holding on to her purse strap. The car pulled away and began dragging her until she finally let go.

Females commit ~20% of violent crimes (per the FBI). Some may seem friendly (at first), commit crimes alone, or in groups, or help male partners. So evaluate ALL strangers by their behavior and red flags.

Leslie Downs was walking toward an Orlando FL store when a man stopped his car to ask for directions. When she stepped to his car, he grabbed her purse and sped away. She couldn't get free, was dragged across the parking lot, and suffered severe abrasions before the purse strap broke - and the purse was stolen anyway.

Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone asking for help.

As 44-year-old Sonya Lynn Smith left a Hickory NC store, a man grabbed her purse and ran to his car. She chased him and jumped into the back of his car. Her purse held her phone, medications, and what little cash she had. She fought like a banshee and caused the car to lightly crash into a telephone pole. Then he got out, pulled her out, kicked her repeatedly, jumped back inside, and sped off with her purse.

Sonya Smith's ferocity and bravery are admirable, but she unnecessarily risked her life for possessions that can be replaced.

Instead, just let him have your purse – so you can get away more easily. See "dummy wallet" below. 

PURSE SNATCHING SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

► Clutch your purse the way a football player carries a football. Hug it to your ribs with one arm – away from the curb to avoid motorcycle or car drive-by purse snatching grabs. But if a purse-snatcher does grab it, give it up, then yell "Help! Police!" as you run to safety. Do NOT risk injury by fighting for your purse.

► Keep your keys in a pocket so you won’t lose them along with your purse.

► Better yet, put a dummy wallet (with bogus credit cards and a few small bills) in your purse. Then keep your money and ID inside your pants, in a pouch hanging from your belt. Then you won’t be tempted to fight for your purse. See Pickpockets for more detail.

► Carry Pepper Spray and a Personal Security Alarm (noisemaker or screamer) within easy reach. Those pages tell you how to use them most effectively.

► Beware of motorbike riders who snatch purses of women walking on a sidewalk close to the curb. If you must walk there, keep your purse away from the curb.

► Also beware of motorbike riders who target cars stopped in traffic. They “smash-and-grab.” That is, they smash the passenger-side window and grab your purse – IF it's on the passenger seat. Instead, keep your purse under your seat.

Pages related to purse snatching:

► Outdoor Safety - Friendly Predators
► Outdoor Safety - Spotting Danger
► Street Crime
► Parking Lot Safety

NOTICE: This non-profit website is for informational purposes only and is drawn from the bibliography and USDOJ. Use the information at your own risk. See disclaimers.

Crime-Safety-Security > Outdoor Safety Overview > Purse Snatching

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