Security Purse - Protect your purse contents from pickpockets and thieves when traveling

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Security Travel Purses and Handbags

Why a Security Purse?

Good question. The answer is to protect your valuables from theft! Ask any member of a U.S. Consulate what is the number one problem faced by travelers when abroad. The answer will be the same, no matter if you are in Berlin, Timbuktu or Mali....Theft! Not robbery, not burglary, not car-jacking...Theft!

After speaking with Resident Security Officers (RSO's) from embassies around the globe, all recommend that travelers need to be especially careful of pickpockets and sneak thieves, especially if you carry a purse. The obvious solution is to not take anything of value with you. However, that's not very practical. The bottom line is: it is up to you to keep your valuables such as your wallet, money and passport safe. Selecting a security purse is one way to thwart professional thieves who target tourists.

Professional pickpockets, and in some international destinations - cut and run thieves, are prevalent in many tourist popular destinations. Their purpose in life is to target women’s purses because they usually contain items of value - especially when carried by western women.

The usual modus operandi (MO) involves thieves who walk up behind an unsuspecting traveler. Posing as a traveler themselves, they blend into the crowd. It is while you are momentarily distracted by the crowd in the subway or market place, that you quickly fall victim to that "slight of hand" expert who very naturally, removes your wallet without detection by you or other surrounding tourists.

More alarming, some professional and opportunist thieves have been known to simply cut a victim's purse strap from the rear, allowing the entire purse to fall into the nimble hands of a 16-year old track star. Other cut and run thieves will very skillfully cut the bottom or side of your purse while you are standing up in a packed subway or train car. With all of the natural "jostling" around, and the sheer amount of fellow travelers jam packed up against one another, you do not feel or see the thief cutting your purse as they block the theft from view with a coat that they carry.

You might say, how can that happen, I would feel my purse falling away." Remember that the true professional pickpocket has honed his/her skill on many other prior victims. They know how to distract you in a crowded place by bumping into you, or by having an accomplice distract your attention. Before you even realize what happened, your purse and all of its valuable contents are gone!

Another more blatant crime, which unfortunately is common in this country also, involves grabbing a purse from behind with a quick and swift pull, causing the strap to separate from the bag at the seam, and possibly causing bodily harm as you fall down from the jolt.

What is the solution?

That's where security purses come into play. Many women are unaware of them, or the built in anti-theft features that they provide purses as well as their contents.

What's so special about these security purses?

Each security purse provides different security features, however we will discuss a few of the most common anti-theft features that are available in many security purses and shoulder bags.

Security Shoulder Strap

This is a feature that most security shoulder bags and purses have. Sewn into the length of the strap are dual, slice-resistant, flexible stainless steel braided cables. These cables protect the shoulder strap from being cut and help provide additional strength from the strap being yanked out of the purse body. These cables are invisibly sewn inside the entire length of each shoulder strap. Usually the steel cables are 1/16inch in diameter and made up of seven individual stainless steel strands, which are then woven into a hex pattern to increase the cables strength. Despite their strength, the straps are flexible and comfortable to wear.

Here is a photograph of a purse strap with the outer material cut away. Two each flexible stainless steel cables are woven into the sides of the strap with double stitching.

This unique feature stops "cut and run" thieves from slicing your purse strap from behind and fleeing. The shoulder strap is padded (so you don't feel the cable) and is adjustable from 29 inches to a very generous 50 inches, enabling the shoulder safe bag to be very comfortably worn across the body. We recommend wearing your bag shoulder to opposite hip whenever possible. It's an added deterrent to thieves!

Purse Zipper Locks

Another unique purse security feature is the zipper lock feature, which can be very valuable when walking in crowded locations. Women thieves (yes, they have many) like to target women in locations where they can blend in right behind or next to you without drawing attention - typically these would be tourist attractions, shopping centers, escalators, buses, subways, and train platforms.

When the thief can get close behind or next to you in a crowded location, they can easily unzip the purse, slither their hand into main compartment, then remove your wallet, camera, or other valuables without your knowledge, and usually within seconds - all without your knowledge or awareness.

This is easily prevented by purses which have a built-in zipper lock which provides a tamperproof solutions to thwart pickpockets. These locks are designed to keep a zipper closed and locked by the use of a spring-loaded metal clip sewn into the base of the strap so it can lock down the zipper pulls. When used, a purse zipper lock requires two hands to open, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for even the most experienced pickpocket to remove an item without your knowledge. However, it can be easily opened by its owner - who knows how to use them.

While the majority of the time purse zipper locks are usually and option that is included with many security purses. they can be purchased separately for use on purses that do not include them. See below for additional information on purse zipper locks, or click here.

Anti-Snatch Shoulder Straps

Another anti-theft feature are shoulder straps that unhook from one end of a purse so the strap can be looped thru a chair back. This ingenious feature is very easy to use, yet it will help prevent a thief from distracting a women and stealing her purse without her knowledge.

Anti-Slash Panels

These are panels of plastic or steel mesh that are embedded in between the inside and outside fabric of the purse. These anti-slashing panels will prevent a thief's knife or razor blade from entering the purse or shoulder bag.

What kind of material are security purses made from?

Most security handbags are made of a Microfiber or nylon material, however, some are made of leather - depending on the manufacture.

How many styles are there?

Travel security purses are designed to look like any other purse you see on the street, however they are made in a variety of colors, styles and designs, all which are flattering, functional and lightweight at the same time. Below are listings of several different security purses that you can choose from.

TourSafe Handbag Fashionable, sleek and spacious with 4 anti-theft features. Combines classic styling and practical internal organization. Travel and daily use. BLACK or TAUPE. More detail...	TourSafe Petite Handbag The TourSafe Petite Handbag is an attractive, smaller design with a slim silhouette and 4 anti-theft features. Wear as a shoulder purse or across the body. BLACK or TAUPE More detail...	On the Go Organizer Style, Function & Security! This bag offers non-cutable straps, locking zipper compartments and lots of pockets. BLACK, TAUPE or RED. More detail...
Travel Daypack A lightweight, anti-theft daypack. For day trips, sight-seeing and everyday use. Slashguard in front and bottom panels, tamperproof zippers. BLACK, SAGE, TAUPE, DEEP CHOCOLATE. More detail...	9 Pocket Traveler Updated classic design with pockets and security! Zipper lock, keeps unwanted hands out. Interior pockets keep things in easy reach. Slash-proof adjustable strap. BLACK or TAUPE. More detail...	Clipa Purse Hook The Clipa is an ingenious, easy to use purse holder that simply clips around your purse strap so it is always accessible. Leave the decorative ring on your strap so it is always handy. More detail...
SlingSafe 50 Phone Purse The lightweight SlingSafe 50 is an organized anti-theft sling purse for carrying only the bare essentials, phone, ID, money. TAUPE, BLACK, SAGE, BEIGE. More detail...	SlingSafe 100 SlingSafe 100 is a secure, lightweight and convenient small-size bag for travel and everyday use - 4 anti-theft features. BLACK, CHARCOAL, SAGE or TAUPE. More detail...	SlingSafe 200 The versatile and lightweight SlingSafe 200 is a high security shoulder bag with 4 anti-theft features. BLACK or SAGE. More detail...
CitySafe 200 with eXomesh Roomy, tamperproof, snatchproof and slashproof handbag! Includes four unique security features that thwart pickpockets & thieves. BLACK or TAUPE. More detail...	City Safe 100 by PacSafe The CitySafe 100 is a stylish security purse providing protection for your valuables with 4 anti-theft features and practical internal organization. BLACK or TAUPE More detail...	Vertical Security Shoulder Bag A slim designed purse that is big on safety. Stylish and lightweight it is perfect for daytime city touring & elegant enough to take to dinner. In microfiber or leather. More detail...
ToteSafe 100 with eXomesh Most secure tote bag on the market today–hands down. 4 security features. Slashproof shoulder straps, slashproof front and bottom panels, anti-grab clip. BLACK or DEEP TAUPE. More detail...	Pacsafe MetroSafe 100 Convertible Bag! Wear as either a SHOULDER BAG or as a HIP PACK. Your choice on how to wear this security bag. 4 security features, BLACK or BROWN. More detail...	Pacsafe MetroSafe 200 HIP PACK or SHOULDER BAG! The MetroSafe 200 can be worn either way. An urban security travel bag great for cameras. BLACK, BROWN or FOREST GREEN. More detail...
Convertible ShoulderSafe A shoulder bag OR a backpack! One quick adjustment and the strap splits into two. Anti-pickpocket zippers and slash-proof straps. BLACK or LATTE. More detail...	Zip-R-Lock Purse Security Clip Turn a regular bag into a security bag with this unique zipper lock. It helps protect your valuables by not allowing the zipper pull to be opened by anyone but you. Small. A visual deterrent too! More detail...	Purse Hanger Keep bags in your sight & clean! Place your purse, or laptop bag on the floor or on the back of your chair and not only does it get dirty, but a thief may walk off with it. More detail...