Some time ago, I sent a letter to The Press relating how a friend had said that ladies were losing their handbags while using the toilets in department stores, as these were removed from the hooks behind the cubicle doors and made off with by cheeky thieves.

She visited us recently and said that in three stores during in the last month (she lives in Horncastle, Lincolnshire and has friends and family in Birmingham) there were notices in the ladies’ toilets, stating that they had removed the hooks behind the cubicle doors and repositioned these near the toilet roll holders, to protect their customers from losing their handbags. She reported that the two latest ploys by thieves were to affix a label to the rear window of a parked car, after making sure that this contained a single occupant driver.

When the driver came to collect the car, and got in, he/she noticed the label and got out of the car to remove it. At this point the thief would immediately get into the car and drive off. Then, a thief would tie a can under the car, rather like what is done to a wedding car taking the couple away after the ceremony, and the same procedure would apply, the thief making off with the car when the driver got out to remove the tin. An acquaintance had actually had his car stolen in the second way. Perhaps car drivers, especially those travelling alone, should watch out for these latest activities by people who are determined to make their living by dishonest means and take measures to avoid losing their cars.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York,