• I AM writing to you as my purse was taken from my handbag on Saturday afternoon while I was getting off the 332 bus in Kilburn to go shopping.

I would like you to alert CNJ readers to be careful especially at this time of the year. The bus was fairly empty when I got on at Edgware Road but by the time I was getting off it was crowded, especially around the exit.

I have a shoulder bag which I wear across my body. I have osteoarthritis in both hips, so I am a bit slow, and I was one of the last to get off the bus.

As I got off a lady at the bus stop alerted me to a purse on the ground, it wasn’t mine. As I looked I saw my handbag was open and my purse had been taken.

I had approx £15 in cash, shop vouchers, credit cards, debit card, and various store points cards. I work part-time earning under £16,000 a year, so every penny counts especially now in the cost of living crisis.

It was a shock, I had to go home and phone all the companies concerned regarding the stolen cards and, as I do not have a smartphone, spend money on the calls as some companies do not have free phone lines.

Most companies said I will receive new cards within two weeks but with Christmas and postal strikes I do not hold out much hope. I will have to go to my bank to try to take cash out to live on in the meanwhile.

Usually I use my debit card to pay for items in stores as I do not like to carry too much cash. When people take purses do they not realise how it affects the victims and how they are going to live in the meanwhile?

Thank you for reading my letter.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED, NW8