Poster Campaign Urges People To Look After Their Belongings

A campaign aimed at protecting belongings such as phones and wallets has been launched in Rhyl. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The local Safer Neighbourhood Team are working with the Rhyl Business Group and local licensees in a bid to deter thieves from targeting customers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The campaign has been launched in response to a recent increase in incidents whereby items such as bags and phones have been stolen from people who are out enjoying themselves in the local pubs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

PC Stephanie Ball from the local team based at Rhyl Police Station said: “We will continue to do everything we can to disrupt and deter thieves who brazenly snatch expensive smartphones, handbags and other personal belongings from distracted customers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We would urge people not to leave their belongings unattended whilst out socializing. Unfortunately, there are opportunist thieves looking to take advantage, especially when they see that an expensive smartphone has been left on a table.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Specially-designed posters and beermats are being distributed around licenced premises in the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele areas and officers are working closely with the local Pubwatch scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The photograph shows (from left to right): Howard Birnie (Denbighshire County Council), John Bellis (Rhyl Business Group), Christine Wright (Licensee), Robin Jones (Licensee), Noel Clements (Licensee) & PCSO John McLoughlin (North Wales Police). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​