Self defence trainers Tricia Clarke and Saki demonstrate a safety tip for women. 24853 Picture: Melissa Meehan
By Bridget Brady
ABOUT 50 women attended a self-defence class at Narre Warren South last week as police call for shoppers to be wary of bag snatchers in the lead up to the festive season.
Self-defence trainer Tricia Clarke led the hands-on session at the Oakgrove Community Centre and passed on some basic tips for women to make them feel safer in the streets.
Ms Clarke, who has a black belt in karate, took three classes at the centre and said it was important for women to be aware, not frightened.
Ms Clarke showed the women basic self-defence moves to use if they found themselves in a threatening situation.
She said bag snatching happened regularly during Christmas time and said it was important for people to hold their bags at the front of their bodies and hold onto them.
“Thieves love crowds because it’s easy to pinch,” she said.
Sergeant Mike Mohammed from Cranbourne Police said bag snatching was a seasonal problem and also advised shoppers to keep their personal items close at all times and ensure valuables were out of sight.
“It’s about being a bit more observant and vigilant,” Sgt Mohammed said.
Ms Clarke said people should keep their car doors locked while they looked for a park in a shopping centre.
She said women who listened to music while out exercising were “easy targets” because they could not hear when someone approached them.
She encouraged women not to walk at the same time every day and always tell a friend or family member where they were headed on their walk.
