FIRST it was a bobby on the beat – now it’s a bobby on a bus.

Police in Eastleigh are climbing aboard buses in the town to give crime prevention advice to passengers this festive season.

Officers, community support officers and members of the Safer Neighbourhoods team will all be taking part in the initiative in the Christmas countdown, handing out safety information and flyers as part of the scheme aimed at cutting the number of purse and handbag thefts in shopping centres and towns.

Officers will also be visiting Eastleigh train station to speak to passengers about crime prevention. The operation will run throughout the festive season.

Said Inspector Kelly Whiting: “Our officers will be out reminding passengers coming into the town to do their Christmas shopping, to stay vigilant. It only takes a few seconds for an opportunistic thief to take a purse.”

What do you think of the initiative? Good or bad idea? Leave your comments below