A RISE in city centre handbag thefts has prompted police to warn people not to become "easy targets" by leaving belongings unattended.

Five handbags are being stolen on average every day, with most thefts happening in Glasgow's bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Sergeant Des Fik, crime prevention officer from Strathclyde Police, said there had been a significant increase in this crime over the last two months.

He said: "Very often, people in bars and restaurants will just drape their jackets over the back of a chair with their wallet or purse in the pocket.

"It is amazing how easy it is for somebody to just slip their hand into a bag and take a purse without the other person noticing.

"I would urge people not to be an easy target.

"The fact is that this type of crime is entirely preventable if people take simple, common sense steps to look after their own property.

"Never leave your bag or other items such as mobile telephones unattended in any public place such as pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants or shops."

People have also been advised not to carry passports, any documents with personal addresses, keys and credit cards in one bag to help reduce identity theft.

Mr Fik said: "If a thief gets hold of all these details, they will be able to take out bank loans and credit cards and run up thousands of pounds of debt in the victim's name."