MEN GET THEIR PURSES SNATCHED TOO

Purse snatching has traditionally been a crime directed against women, but the growing use of small electronic devices by men, frequently carried in bags, has increasingly made them the victims of grab and run thieves.

Lloyd’s notes that “bag theft” with men as victims has grown dramatically as they carry bags with i-Pods, Blackberries and mobile phones that “can be worth more £1,000 [$1,774].” The majority of these thefts are likely to take place on the street or in bars and other public places, yet many standard insurance policies often don’t cover theft of belongings outside the home.

Lloyd’s insurer Hiscox said the thefts are increasing because more and more men are “carrying gadgets and other valuable items in canvas or leather satchel-style bags, easier to carry than traditional, heavy briefcases.”