Informal Letter

Recently, there has been a big increase in the number of snatch thefts all over the country. You know a number
of measures which you think can help to reduce the number of snatch thefts. You have got the knowledge by
interviewing the Chief Police Officer of the state. You would like to share what you have learnt with as many
people as possible so you write to one of the local papers. Below are the points you have made while
interviewing the Chief of Police.
Ho Lau Teik,
76, Jalan Angsana,
Taman Angsana,
15000 Butterworth.
Pulau Pinang
19 May 20__
The New Straits Times,
31, Jalan Riong,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Dear Editor,
Snatch thefts are almost daily occurrences and women are the victims. Many of them have been injured
while trying to fight off the snatch thieves. Many of them were pulled to the ground. Such victims suffered
bruises, cuts and knocks. Some victims on motorcycles had fallen when the snatch thieves pushed them to make
them fall. While the victims lay stunned or unconscious on the roads, the snatch thieves grabbed their purses or
bags and then scooted off on their motorcycles. There was one case in which a young woman was carrying her
two-year-old daughter in the front basket of her motorcycle. Two snatch thieves came from behind and pushed
her. She lost her balance and fell off her machine. Her child riding in her front basket was instantly killed by her
fall. I have some suggestions on how snatch thefts can be reduced.
First of all, women should try to wear clothes with pockets where they can keep their purses. Usually
women wear clothes with no pockets and so are forced to carry handbags to keep their purses. Wear pants
which have pockets tor you to keep your purse. In this way, snatch thieves cannot rob you. That is also the
reason why men do not become the victims of snatch thieves.
Second, do not flash money around. Some snatch thieves may be there and they will notice you. Then they
will make you their victim when the opportunity arises. So, try not to show that you are carrying a lot of money
with you.
Third, do not carry too much cash with you. Just carry the amount you need to make your purchases. In this
way, even if your purse is snatched, you will not lose much money.
Usually a snatch victim suffers a lot of inconvenience because she keeps her identity card and driving
licence together with her money in her purse. So, when her purse is snatched, she loses not only her money but
her identity card and driving licence as well. She may not have lost much money but losing her identity card
and driving licence is very inconvenient. A police report has to be made, fines have to be paid and a new
identity card and a new driving licence have to be made. This involves a lot of time, money and inconvenience.
So, I would advise women who carry handbags with their purses inside to keep their identity cards and driving
licences in some other place. They may keep these items in a pocket in their clothes or in the glove
compartment of their cars.
If you need to carry a handbag, do not carry one with long straps. The long straps make it easy for thieves to
snatch your handbags. The long straps are also dangerous because you may be dragged along the road if the
thieves work from a motorcycle. If you are riding on a motorcycle, you may fall off your machine when your
handbag is snatched. If you are carrying a handbag, grab it close to your body. This makes it more difficult for
snatch thieves to work.

Many women who ride motorcycles put their handbags in the baskets in the front part of their motorcycles.
This is inviting snatch thieves to steal your handbags. They can consider themselves lucky if the thieves just
grab their handbags and speed off on their motorcycles because the snatch thieves may push them so that they
fall from their machines. If this happens, they will not only lose their handbags, but they may suffer serious
injuries or even lose their lives.
My suggestions will reduce snatch thefts. I hope that they will be adopted by the women who may be
potential victims of snatch thieves.
Yours sincerely,
Lau T'eik