Statues Highlight Pickpocket Risk

A unique way to raise public awareness and protect people from the heartbreak of theft in Cleveleys has been funded by Crimebeat.

The idea is to use works of sculpture to get the message across in a light-hearted way without frightening visitors to the busy shopping town. PC Quentin Allen, Community Beat Manager for Cleveleys said: " I was inspired after I saw Billy Connolly on TV sitting on a statue of purse in a shopping mall in Australia. The piece was called: The sadness of a lost purse."

The project started to become reality when Quentin spoke with Claire Davenhall and her colleague, Rachel Hoyle. They teach three-dimensional design to students at Blackpool and the Fylde College who are in the first year of a two year course leading to the National Diploma or National Certificate in Art and Design. The major age group is 16 to 19.

The result was 20 pieces of ceramic sculpture which will be fixed on the pavement. Inside shops and on shop frontages.Quentin said: " Cleveleys is a place where pickpockets operate and where shopping bags and handbags have been targeted. Some of the victims are older people. The idea is to raise awareness so people take care but are not frightened by heavy messages about crime."

See-through handbags, purses with teeth and a St Bernard dog carrying a handbag instead of a brandy barrel are among the ideas produced by the students. PC Allen introduced them to people who have been victims of this type of crime.

Claire Davenhall said: " The quality of the work produced is very good - some of it is Distinction level. In addition the students have been made more aware of the environment and the community. They have appreciated the vulnerability of some people in the community and the distress caused by crime." She said that the project would help students with their CV as they move on to university or into other fields.

Quentin said: " I think this is a very exciting project and I believe it is unique in this country.