GARDAI are asking people to beware of people standing outside shops or in carparks selling knives in Tralee.

Gardaí believe this is a distraction technique by thieves whose real intention is to steal wallets. They are telling people not to engage with them.

Gardai are also warning customers to be vigilant with their belongings in pubs. Speaking on Radio Kerry today, Sergeant Caragh Kelly related an incident where a man came into the pub in Tralee and was warming his hands in front of the fire and then snatched a woman’s handbag and ran.

The woman had all her Christmas money in her bag, but luckily gardaí caught the man and the money was recovered.

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Sergeant Kelly also spoke of an incident in the Killorglin area where an elderly couple had their house burgled overnight on Tuesday last.

They believe the incident is linked to people going door to door selling rugs in the week leading up to the burglary.

Gardaí believe this is a way for burglars to gather intelligence about the property and the people who live there.  Sergeant Kelly advises people to never engage with them, to get the vehicle registration and call the gardaí.