Bag snatchers target one in ten

With one in ten Brits having suffered a bag theft, insurance experts are issuing an alert on the nation's high streets.

As we carry, on average, a massive £716.25 of goods around in our bags on a daily basis, the risk of losing valuable possessions is on the increase.

The study from MORE TH>N Insurance showed that the nation carries £25.2 billion around in its bags on a daily basis and the warnings today are timely as post Christmas this figure swelled by £2.1 billion with presents and sale bargains.

Leaving the house can be a risky business when a quarter (24%) of us admit to losing, or having had belongings stolen from our bags, when out and about. This risk is even greater when we consider that four in five of us (77%) don't adequately insure these precious items.

The study included handbags and "manbags": UK women carry, on average, a staggering £774.31 with them at all times - and their male counterparts are not too far behind with £652.43 of goodies. Our bags contain a soaring number of gadgets with two thirds (64%) of us carrying expensive electronic items around. Up to 18% of the value of women's bags can be attributed to makeup and toiletries (£131.25), while a surprising 20% of boys also carry grooming products at all times.

In spite of our reliance on credit cards, we still carry an average of £44 in cash with us. The Northern Irish carry the most (£83.44) and the Welsh carry the least change (£31.51). While 92% of women carry cash in their bags, 70% of men prefer to keep their money safe in their own pockets.

The report identified snatch hot spots round the country with concerns raised particularly in the capital as Londoners proved to be the most vulnerable to theft with 18% having experienced a bag snatch, whilst the streets are safest in Wales with just 6% falling victim.

Pete Markey from MORE TH>N says, "Technology is becoming increasingly portable and luxury items ever more desirable, so what we leave home with every day can actually be a considerable proportion of our most valuable personal possessions. It is important to be vigilant when we carry so much around - but should the worst happen, protecting against loss, damage or theft will save a lot of heartache and expense.

"The research also shows that it's the fashionable bags themselves, and not just the contents, that are proving to be increasingly tempting for thieves, the value of the average bag alone weighs in at £87, so we can't afford to be complacent."

The research was conducted as part of the development of MORE TH>N's enhanced contents insurance offering. In a response to customer's need for better cover when away from the home, MORE TH>N's new Contents Outside the Home policies cover up to £75,000 of belongings, (including handbags and "manbags") when out and about.

For more information or a quote, visit morethan.com