SHOPPERS in Budleigh Salterton can protect their purse from thieves by taking advantage of a police scheme to protect the public.

SHOPPERS in Budleigh Salterton can protect their purse from thieves by taking advantage of a police scheme to protect the public.

The town's neighbourhood beat team has come up with an idea to stop pickpockets in their tracks.

The police have introduced lanyards - long loops of nylon with a clip at one end - which can be secured to wallets and purses and looped through bag handles.

The lanyards have been placed in the town's charity shops.

The police said purse theft was uncommon in Budleigh and the lanyards had been introduced as a deterrent.