Keeping Vigilant

The International Travel Section (March 5) had very helpful tips for persons traveling overseas, where I am always very cautious about protecting my purse and luggage. However, last November I had something new pulled on me. On a crowded bus in London a scruffy person sat down beside me with a raincoat over his arm. I did not like his looks, so I held very tightly to my purse by the top and straps.

This person slashed the side of my purse with a razor and extracted an envelope containing money. He was so professional, I was not aware of it and didn’t even feel him touch my purse. Fortunately, this was my last day in London and he secured only 3 (about $5.25 U.S.). I was lucky I did not see him slash my purse, because he might have used his razor on me. But since I always keep money in several compartments of my purse, only a portion can be stolen if one part is lifted.

MILDRED JACKSON

Garden Grove