POLICE launched their festive advice and safety campaign with an Oak Mall roadshow in the wake of sneak thefts from shoppers.

Sergeant Laura Stewart and PC Barry McNeill spent two hours in the shopping centre speaking to people about how to stay safe as stores get busier.

The safety message follows the theft of a purse from a handbag at the Oak Mall and the theft of a handbag from a shopping bag in Tesco Greenock last week.

Sergeant Stewart said: “We were out for a few hours chatting to members of the public and offering general festive safety advice.

“With shops getting busier ahead of Christmas and people in a hurry we just want people to be more aware of their surroundings.

“We are reminding people not to leave items visible in cars, to be aware of cyber crime and take some time to make sure they are being safe online and to look out for one another if out at night.

“We are aiming to advise people on personal safety - to make sure that bags are zipped up, ensure there is nothing in their pockets that could fall out, to be aware of their surroundings and to check they have everything before leaving ATM machines.”

Local police were joined by volunteers from Victim Support Scotland who highlighted what they can do to help should someone fall victim to a crime.

They were handing out jingle bells for people to attach to their bags, along with mini torches for people to carry with them should they need them.

Volunteer Alan Drewery said: “Anyone can be the victim of a crime.

“Opportunities like this to get out and engage with the public definitely help.

"It highlights ways to prevent crime but also shows them that should they fall victim we are there to support them.”

Fellow volunteer Anne Donaghy added: “We want people to be aware of their surroundings because criminals can be so calculated.

"We don’t want to scare people, just to make them aware of the best ways to stay safe and let them know that we are there should they need us."

There will be an increased police presence in town centres over the festive period and extra visits to bars they begin to get busier during the height of the party season.

Sergeant Stewart said: "Locally we will have an increased presence in the retail parks and around the licensed premises where we expect to see an increase in people over the next few weeks.

"We will also be concentrating on the safer driving message, with the drink drive campaign which commenced last week."