More than £582 million has been lost by women who have had their handbags stolen, new research has revealed.
British women are losing hundreds of millions of pounds through having their handbags stolen, according to a new study.
Direct Line conducted research which found that more than a fifth of the UK's female population have been the victim of handbag theft, amounting to £582 million in lost goods. Additionally, almost a tenth of these thefts happened during the last 12 months, while a further tenth occurred during the last two years.
According to the report, more than half of British women are concerned about the prospect of having their handbag stolen, while two-thirds believe that the recession makes it more likely that they will become a victim of crime.
"Having your handbag stolen is not only an inconvenience, but it can also cause a lot of stress and worry," said Frances Browning, Direct Line home insurance spokesperson.
"Many women carry around personal possessions in their handbags that can add up to a small fortune, along with items of sentimental value. Therefore, it's no surprise that many are concerned that it might happen to them - especially in the current economic climate, where incidences of theft may increase."
Direct Line advised women to pick a home insurance policy which will cover their handbags if they are lost or stolen when taken out of the home.
