SHOPPERS are being warned to be on their guard in the festive rush after a long history of Christmas-time purse thefts in and around the town centre.
Regular tannoy announcements in Blackburn Shopping Centre are warning customers that purse thieves are operating in the area.
Victor Parfrement, Shopping Centre manager, said: "This is a vulnerable time of year. In the rush of shopping for Christmas people may leave their handbags open, or put their purse on the top of their shopping bags. We just want to alert our customers to the fact that there have been thefts in the town centre.
"Equally, if pickpockets are in the Shopping Centre and hear our announcements, they will know that both we and our customers are aware of the problem." Inspector Bob Ford said that police were liaising with the Shopping Centre management.
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