In this vein, MyCoupons have just relaunched and are paying bloggers to take a look at their site.

MyCoupons is a free website that currently has 13,820 coupon codes, 10 times larger than any other coupon site (according to them). They search the internet and work with merchants to provide you with discount codes for your online shopping. Originally set up in 1994, the site has undergone a couple of name changes, and sales and then saved from bankruptcy, the site has just relaunched on March 17th 2007.

As well as being a coupon directory, it also has a coupon community, again that is free to join, where you can earn CouponCredits that enable you to earn Visa Giftcards by contributing to the site. For a website that hasn’t been open in its current form for long, there are a large number of interesting posts, although if I’m being critical there are far too many forums at the moment, it can be a little overwhelming.

If you want to get a better feel for the site, take a look at the MyCoupons blog.

Next time when you’re shopping online and want to save some money (you should ALWAYS try to save some money….), in conjunction with sites like Hot UK Deals, Free Stuff Junction, DVD Reviewer’s Bargain Buckets forum and voucher codes, add MyCoupons to your list.

Trackback to LoudLaunch – Compensating bloggers for their unbiased opinions, reviews, and analysis. View the LoudLaunch campaign release this post was based on.

a recent crackdown on bag snatches in Leicester city centre has been a success.
The Leicester City Centre Joint Action Group handed out small bells for people to attach to their purses and bags from 1 December 2006 to 5 January 2007.

The bells act as an alarm to bag owners and a deterrent to thieves.

Read more at source.

Source: BBC

This blog is mainly devoted to the recording of handbag thefts, of which there are over 70 now mapped here.

To keep you informed and entertained there are some feeds from other sites available on this site. The handbag fashion news comes from the following great sites:

• The Bag Lady
• The Bag Blog
• Pursed Lips
• The Purse Blog

The latest crime news comes from a search of 15 UK police websites that provide RSS feeds. These crimes are also added to the handbag theft map, which is still the most important part of the site. If you haven’t looked at it recently, check it out. There is also a list of all crimes reported.

The handbag fashion news comes from the following great sites:

• The Bag Lady
• The Bag Blog
• Pursed Lips
• The Purse Blog

The latest crime news comes from a search of 15 UK police websites that provide RSS feeds. These crimes are also added to the handbag theft map, which is still the most important part of the site. If you haven’t looked at it recently, check it out. There is also a list of all crimes reported.

It cleverly has a worksafe version which excludes images than may not quite be appropriate for the workplace.

Knickers was set up, and is edited by Danae Shell who is a Tennessee girl who now lives in Edinburgh in Scotland. It’s an excellent read, well written and contains relevant information, so please take a look and learn more about lingerie.

Part 1 (~20 mins):

Part 2(~17 mins):

Back to handbags very soon!

BagTheftBlog (BTB): Firstly tell us what you do and a bit about your background.

Maria Estrada (ME): I co-founded an accessories brand with my brother, Ignacio, called IGNES Handbags. My background includes business (degree in business administration) and art (three years at Christie’s); and lots of travelling mostly due to several years living abroad; I have dual Italian and Uruguayan nationality and feel both South American and quite a Londoner when in London!

The interest in fashion came both from a natural interest in style throughout the years and then from a passion in promoting the amazing leathers and dedicated craftsmanship our country has to offer.

Are handbags your passion or a day job?

They are indeed a passion, and much more than a day job for both of us when it comes to running the business.

A selection of IGNES Medium day bags

Handbags and accessories are making a comeback – why do you think that is?

It’s no longer the classic black handbag to complement an outfit; now you can wear something simple and have an amazing impact with your handbag; it’s less to do with creating harmony by your complementing your outfit with your handbag, and more to do with expressing your style and personality through your accessory.

Ten years ago a “luxury designer handbag” was around $200. Today it can be over $1,000. Is this reasonable?

As fashion in accessories becomes more sophisticated, women expect more out of their handbags, and there are continued efforts in improving both the quality and the design in handbag creation; also since there are more options at different price ranges, the person that can afford a handbag well over $1,000 probably wants others to know…

Designer handbags are being ‘copied’ on the high street at affordable prices – is that a good thing?

Handbags that are created with the purpose of looking exactly as the original are the main problem, it’s a problem both for designer brands that have to deal with counterfeiting and for the person that has paid $1,000 for her gorgeous handbag who will not be thrilled when she sees the “exact same one” at $30.

What’s the current trend in handbags? Where do you think it is heading over the next few years?

The current trend includes lots of embellishment such as chains and studs, exotic leathers and more variety in leathers from super soft ones to patent leather to leopard prints…in the upcoming seasons it seems there will be a tendency for clutches as there has been for oversized bags.

I think women will expect even better quality and more options in the leathers they choose and even more personality in the handbags they purchase.

Have you got a favourite handbag?

A few of our own: I love the Mini Sofia , the Tango and the Ormala and a couple of the new designs coming soon…

How many bags do you own?

This is growing as the business grows!

How do you choose a handbag?

Both the feel of the leather and the way it feels on you; when you think you just have to have it and of course the quality and uniqueness in the design. I always pay attention to practical details as well as you still want to find your keys, mobile phone, keep you personals safe, etc

A selection of IGNES Evening bags

Have you ever had your handbag stolen?

Fortunately no, although it’s good to know Bag Theft Blog exists should it ever happen!

Have you got any advice on keeping your handbag safe?

It sounds simple but it should be in sight, or close to you, so that even if you’re distracted, if there’s movement, you will immediately feel it… the handbag hanger is also a way to keep it close and in sight.

Thank you Maria. Visit IGNES Handbags for more information.

If you would like your business to be featured on Bag Theft Blog, please contact me using the Quick Report box on the right of every page.

All images are © IGNES Handbags 2006.

Whilst a seemingly brave and noble thing to do, it is potentially very dangerous and also a bit of a legal minefield.

A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.

Source: Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967

The person must have committed an offence that is ‘indictable’ – for example theft or criminal damage. If you arrest someone for a crime that does not fall under this category (essentially any crime that could be tried in a crown court) then the arrest may be unlawful. A person arrested unlawfully is entitled to use reasonable force to resist arrest and potentially sue for damages.

If someone other than a police officer arrests you, then they must either hand you over to one, take you to a police station or take you before a magistrate, all within a reasonable amount of time.

However tempting it may be to arrest someone who seems to be committing a crime, the most important thing is that you do not put yourself in any danger, police officers are trained to deal with criminals, you are not.

For more detailed information on the legalities of making a citizen’s arrest, please read this article – ‘What is a Citizen’s arrest?’