It makes you stop and wonder what women actually keep in those things that make them so tempting for thieves. Traditionally, men have chastised women for carrying everything bar the kitchen sink (and if the handbag was big enough this would also be a ready inclusion) and perhaps it's in the lucky dip mentality of these criminals that they continue to pursue them.

This article Churchill Home Insurance warns of handbag theft cites 1 in 3 women have lost their handbag at least once, either through carelessness or theft. The average cost of this loss is reported to be £228 (US$400) so it begs querying what on earth they could be after.

We know that most women don't carry cash - they have multiple store cards and the husbands Visa (all of which are maxed out). Any jewellery would usually be attached to their person in some form. Their keys would certainly reside in there along with a mid-morning K-Time health bar, tissues (both used and scrunched), and possibly some coupon cards and 2 for 1 offers. So what is it that theieves are after.

The big ticket item - cosmetics. There is obviously a black market operating for pre-owned cosmetics, maybe even through the cosmetic laundering cartel, Ebay. Don't be surprised if you end up bidding for a no-reserve blueberry lipstick that graced the face of someone living in downtown SOHO.

So women, the moral of the story is leave the pepper spray at home with all the additional cosmetics that make your handbag such a temptation. Carry only what you need for the day and don't buy cosmetics off Ebay.