The UK’s £582 Million Handbag Robbery

17th April 2009

• Over a fifth of women have had their handbag stolen
• Over two-thirds believe the current economic climate will lead to an increase in handbag theft
• Most bags stolen from pubs and workplaces

New research reveals the extent of handbag theft in the UK, as over a fifth of women (21 per cent) admit they have had their bags stolen, at a cost of more than £582 million*.

Furthermore, the study by home insurer Direct Line**, shows that nearly one in ten (9 per cent) of these thefts have taken place in the last year. Another ten per cent had their bag stolen in the last two years. This means the total cost of handbag theft for the last two years reaches £110 million***.

What’s in a bag?
Each time a handbag is stolen, women are faced with an average bill of £109 to replace the item and its contents, however, nearly one in ten (9 per cent) carry a bag worth £250 or more. Of those who had suffered handbag theft, items lost included cash (87 per cent), make-up (55 per cent), door keys (50 per cent), mobile phones (30 per cent) and even medication (12 per cent).

A bag of worries
The study also revealed the extent that women worry about having their handbag and its contents stolen. Over half (52 per cent) are concerned about handbag theft, rising to 60 per cent in London. In addition, over two-thirds of women (68 per cent) feel they are more likely to have their personal possessions stolen due to the current economic climate.

Stolen from the pub and from work
The research reveals the most common locations that handbags are stolen:

1. In the pub (14 per cent)
2. At work (12 per cent)
3. Out shopping (12 per cent)
4. In a club (12 per cent)
5. From the car (8 per cent)

Frances Browning, spokesperson for Direct Line Home Insurance, comments:
“Having your handbag stolen is not only an inconvenience, but it can also cause a lot of stress and worry. Many women carry around personal possessions in their handbags that can add up to a small fortune, along with items of sentimental value. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many are concerned that it might happen to them – especially in the current economic climate, where incidences of theft may increase.”

Security revealed
However, despite the risk of theft and the burden of worry, women are not always taking basic security precautions:

• A quarter (25 per cent) do not keep their bag close by at all times
• Just over half (52 per cent) take precaution by bringing only essential items out with them
• 34 per cent wear their handbag across their body to prevent bag snatching
• 26 per cent loop their handbag around their foot when in restaurants and bars
• Just 23 per cent regularly check the contents of their bag to make sure nothing has gone missing

Frances Browning comments:
“For women who are concerned, there are some basic security measures they can follow such as using handbag clips in bars and restaurants, only carrying the necessities for that day and keeping the bag close when out in public places.”

Other findings:

• Amongst the 18-34 age group, 23 per cent had experienced bag theft in a pub and 30 per cent in a club
• Over one in twenty (7 per cent) have lost keys to their workplace
• One per cent admitted to losing sensitive work information
• The worst regions for handbag theft are revealed to be: London (27 per cent), north west England (27 per cent) and Yorkshire and Humberside (24 per cent)
• The safest regions are revealed to be: East Anglia (10 per cent), south west England (14 per cent) and East Midlands (16 per cent)

Direct Line’s handbag security advice:

• Keep your bag close to your person and ensure that it is fastened securely
• Use handbag clips in public places such as bars and restaurants
• Use secure lockers at the gym or pool
• Only carry necessities for that day
• Don’t leave your handbag unattended in a parked car
• Don’t carry personal documents around alongside your credit cards and house keys as it makes it easier for a thief to steal your identity or break into your home without having to force entry

Direct Line Home Insurance offers personal possessions cover, which insures against accidental loss, theft or damage to handbags or other possessions such as jewellery and cameras when taken out of the home. Personal possessions cover limits range from a minimum of £2,500 or £5,000 depending on which home insurance policy is purchased.

Visit www.directline.com for further information

For more information contact:
Abi Clark
Direct Line Press Office
020 8285 3276
07974 161650
Email: Abi.Clark@rbs.co.uk

Notes to Editors

*£582m = 21% (women who have had their bag stolen) of 25,444,000 (the number of women aged 16+ in the UK according to Population Trends, Winter 2008 by the Office for National Statistics) = 5,343,240 (number of victims of bag theft) 5,343,240 x £109 (average value of handbag and contents) = £582,413,160

**Opinium Research carried out an online poll of 2,187 British adults between 20th and 24th February 2009. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

*** £110m = 19% (women who have had their bag stolen in the last two years) of 5,343,240 (number of victims of bag theft) = 1,015,216 (number of victims in the last two years) 1,015,216 x £109 = £110,658,544

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides car, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3564 or visiting www.directline.com

Direct Line Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1AG. Registered in England and Wales no. 01810801. The Financial Services Authority's Register can be accessed through http://www.fsa.gov.uk/