Thanks, Snazy. Keeping broken glass in one's handbag just in case of future incidents is a creative idea, but could have it's downside...

I was lucky because I moved away before this guy had actually removed anything from my bag, but the fact that nothing was missing reinforced my reluctance to confront him, although I'm pretty sure his hand was inside my bag when I moved. From what David says, this 'cover up the handbag and then delve inside it' is a common trick and if I'd known that before, I would have made more fuss.

Good idea about CCTV, I'll see if it's not too late.

Must remember to beware of cardigans as well in future. Ho hum.