Practical tips to ensure thieves and pickpockets do not have a happy Christmas.
With no evidence of austerity on show when it comes to Christmas spending, it is the time of year when department stores step up their in-house security.
Take what precautions they can without alarming or offending their customers.
Cash must leave the store, and night safes are used to lodge the day's takings outside of banking hours. An Garda Síochána advises that anyone using a night safe should have at least one other person accompany them.
To keep a lookout in case of attack and robbery.
It is not just the trader at risk from thieves. Members of the public out shopping also need to be vigilant and take simple precautions to put off potential bag snatchers and pickpockets.
Keep money out of sight and out of reach.
Handbags should be fully zipped and never left unattended. Wallets should not be carried in back pockets. Shoppers are also reminded to store their Christmas shopping appropriately,
A motorcar is not a warehouse.
Presents should never be stored in vehicles, as they can be broken into easily.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 December 1975. The reporter is Derek Davis.
