Shoppers say handbag theft a 'massive' problem

But police say women shouldn’t stop carrying them – just make sure you’re not carrying large sums of money, don’t write down your pin numbers and be careful about where you place your handbag while you are getting in and out of your car.

Since running a story about Northcote women so scared of having their handbag snatched they choose to avoid their shopping centre, other women have come forward.

"It is massive, it’s not like police say," says Northcross resident Christine Palacio who had her handbag stolen from her car in the 10 minutes she parked in a Browns Bay carpark.

"I put it under the seat with the window shade covering it."

Mrs Palacio says she knows she shouldn’t have left the bag in the car but her point is the thieves "were clearly in the carpark watching me when I parked".

Many women in the Browns Bay area have the same story and most of them don’t know what to do, she says.

Some are beginning to carry bags normally used by travellers that sit underneath their clothes, she says.

"I’m not normally frightened and I hate to be intimidated but what do I do?" she says.

When talking to people while replacing her handbag and its items, the woman says most would comment: "Oh no, another one."

Strandbags Takapuna manager Teresa McCarthy says they had three women come in with insurance claims to replace stolen handbags in 12 hours on January 8 and 9.

"It’s a bit scary," she says.

North Shore police area commander inspector Les Paterson says people can be reassured that police are taking the crime very seriously and began proactively reporting the events last year.

He says handbag snatching is an intrusive and distressing crime for victims and on average North Shore police receive two reports of handbag snatches each week.

A team of police officers are coordinating and investigating the incidents and make regular arrests.

"It’s been a crime that more offenders have become involved in over the last 12 to 18 months across the greater Auckland region."