Purse Snatcher Handed ASBO Ban

A PURSE-SNATCHER who commuted into Ely to commit her crimes has been banned from entering the city for two years.

It follows a similar action last October when another received an ASBO banning her from the city.

Parashkeva Georgieva Ivanova, 33, from North London, appeared in Cambridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (Mar 2) where she pleaded guilty to an attempted purse theft at the Cancer Research Charity Shop in Ely on October 8.

She was observed trying to steal a purse by two other customers in the shop. She ran away when challenged but was caught by police.

Magistrates imposed a four week prison sentence, to follow a sentence she is currently serving for a purse-snatching in London which expires in June.

An Anti Social Behaviour Order banning her from entering Ely will come into effect when she is released from prison in July.

Brian Tully, ASB Co-ordinator for the East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership, said: "Ivanova is a serial offender who commuted to Ely to commit crime, targeting elderly ladies in charity shops.

"Purse thefts have been an issue in the city centre for some time, and the fact that elderly and vulnerable women were victims underlines the callous nature of these crimes.

"I would ask shoppers to look after their purses, wallets or handbags by keeping them in a safe place

"At first glance, this may seem an unusual case for an ASBO, because it is a matter of pure crime. However, we established a precedent with the first case last year. The purpose of anti-social behaviour legislation is to protect the community, and we are doing so by keeping another thief out of the city. If she is found in Ely and apprehended, she will be liable to another prison sentence."

Shops in Ely will be given an ASBO notice to encourage reporting of any breach of the order to police. Breaches can be reported on 0345 456 456 4.