SPM Sample Essay - Informal Letter (How to reduce the number of snatch thefts)

Question 1

Recently, there has been a big increase in the number of snatch thefts all over the country. You know a number of measures which you think can help to reduce the number of snatch thefts. You have got the knowledge by interviewing the Chief Police Officer of the state. You would like to share what you have learnt with as many people as possible so you write to one of the local papers. Below are the points you have made while interviewing the Chief of Police.

How to reduce the number of snatch thefts:

• Wear clothes with pockets. Do not flash money around.
• Do not carry too much cash with you.
• Keep your money, identity card and driving licences in different places.
• Try not to carry handbags with long straps.
• Do not put handbags in the front carriers of your motor¬cycles.

Ho Lau Teik,
76, Jalan Angsana,
Taman Angsana,
15000 Butterworth.
Pulau Pinang
19 May 20__

The New Straits Times,
31, Jalan Riong,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.

Dear Editor,
Snatch thefts are almost daily occurrences and women are the victims. Many of them have been injured while trying to fight off the snatch thieves. Many of them were pulled to the ground. Such victims suffered bruises, cuts and knocks. Some victims on motorcycles had fallen when the snatch thieves pushed them to make them fall. While the victims lay stunned or unconscious on the roads, the snatch thieves grabbed their purses or bags and then scooted off on their motorcycles. There was one case in which a young woman was carrying her two-year-old daughter in the front basket of her motorcycle. Two snatch thieves came from behind and pushed her. She lost her balance and fell off her machine. Her child riding in her front basket was instantly killed by her fall. I have some suggestions on how snatch thefts can be reduced.

First of all, women should try to wear clothes with pockets where they can keep their purses. Usually women wear clothes with no pockets and so are forced to carry handbags to keep their purses. Wear pants which have pockets tor you to keep your purse. In this way, snatch thieves cannot rob you. That is also the reason why men do not become the victims of snatch thieves.

Second, do not flash money around. Some snatch thieves may be there and they will notice you. Then they will make you their victim when the opportunity arises. So, try not to show that you are carrying a lot of money with you.

Third, do not carry too much cash with you. Just carry the amount you need to make your purchases. In this way, even if your purse is snatched, you will not lose much money.

Usually a snatch victim suffers a lot of inconvenience because she keeps her identity card and driving licence together with her money in her purse. So, when her purse is snatched, she loses not only her money but her identity card and driving licence as well. She may not have lost much money but losing her identity card and driving licence is very inconvenient. A police report has to be made, fines have to be paid and a new identity card and a new driving licence have to be made. This involves a lot of time, money and inconvenience. So, I would advise women who carry handbags with their purses inside to keep their identity cards and driving licences in some other place. They may keep these items in a pocket in their clothes or in the glove compartment of their cars.

If you need to carry a handbag, do not carry one with long straps. The long straps make it easy for thieves to snatch your handbags. The long straps are also dangerous because you may be dragged along the road if the thieves work from a motorcycle. If you are riding on a motorcycle, you may fall off your machine when your handbag is snatched. If you are carrying a handbag, grab it close to your body. This makes it more difficult for snatch thieves to work.

Many women who ride motorcycles put their handbags in the baskets in the front part of their motorcycles. This is inviting snatch thieves to steal your handbags. They can consider themselves lucky if the thieves just grab their handbags and speed off on their motorcycles because the snatch thieves may push them so that they fall from their machines. If this happens, they will not only lose their handbags, but they may suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives.

My suggestions will reduce snatch thefts. I hope that they will be adopted by the women who may be potential victims of snatch thieves.

Yours sincerely,

Lau T'eik