The picture below shows a snatch theft incident which you witnessed while walking to school.

Based on the picture given, write about the incident for your school magazine.

When writing about the incident, you should:

describe what happened

express what you felt

suggest ways to prevent snatch theft

write between 120 to 150 words.

Tips On How To write

1. Read and understand the question carefully.
2. Find the key words :o

For example
: snatch theft, incident, witnessed, walking back to
school magazine.

3.

In your essay you need to :-

how the snatch theft happened

your feelings about the incident

to prevent snatch theft

4. Use the technique to arrange and to write your ideas/points.

5.

Introduction Paragraph ( 30 50 words )

Last week I walking to school

school,

8.00am football practice

saw neighbour Miss Siti opposite road waiting for bus

she holding a big brown handbag

Body - First Paragraph ( Describe what you saw happen)

saw a motorbike two men

snatch Miss Sitis handbag fell down screamed for help

shocked gave chase got away

Body - Second Paragraph ( Describe what happened after )

checked on Miss Siti hand and leg bruises

father came took her home made a police report

I felt angry and sad

Body - Third Paragraph ( Suggest ways to prevent... )

People more careful / alert - alone

More street lights - bright roads / safe

Police patrol in / around housing areas

SampleEssay
Cases of snatch thefts are reported almost daily in our local dailies. In some incidences innocent
lives have been lost due this unspeakable act.I recently was an eye witness to this dastardlyact. The
horrifying incident unfolded right in front of my eyes as I was walking to school for my football practice
last week.
The football practice was scheduled at 8.00 in the morning.On that fateful morning, I decided to walk to
school instead of taking the bus as I normally did. As I was striding along the brick pavement, my eyes
caught Miss Siti, my neighbour, standing on the opposite site of the road waiting to catch a bus to work.
She was gingerly holding a big brown handbag in her hand.I waved to her and she waved back to me
with an angelic smile.I looked at my watch, it was 7.oo a.m.
As I strode past her, I saw two men on a motorbike riding slowly towards her.Both were wearing full face
helmets. I didn't give much thought about it and just moved on.Suddenly, without warning,
they zoomed past her snatching her handbag in the process.Miss Siti fell down onto the pavement. She
was shockedbut managed to scream for help. It all happened so fast.I gave chase but the thieves managed
to escape. They just sped off into the horizon.
I quickly dashed to Miss Siti's aid. There was a look ofbewilderment on her pained face. I helped to
check on her.Fortunately, only her hand and leg were bruised but overall she was alright. I immediately
called and informed her father about the incident.He drove there as fast as lightning and took her home.
Later, they went to the police station to make a report.The barbaric action of the snatch thieves just made
me angry. At the same time, sad when I thought about all the unfortunate victims who had fallen prey to
them.

In order to prevent from becoming a victim of snatch theft, people need to be more careful. For
example, when they are alone at a bus stop or walking back home alone- alertness plays an important role
in ensuring their safety.In addition, the government should put up more street lights so the streets and
dark alleys can be bright and safe for the public.Lastly, I strongly believe police presence in and around
housing areas would boostpublic confidence whereby their safety can be assured by the police.

2)Sample essay

Last Thursday , when I was on my way home from my sports practice , I have encountered an
incident which I would never forgot . It was a very hot day . The sweat broke in all over my body and
trickled through my back. Out of the blue , I heard a loud scream . Then, I saw a old lady tried to
chase after two men on the motorbike.
A snatch theft happened in front of my eyes. There was an old lady who was holding a handbag walk
by the roadside. All of sudden , a motorbike passed beside the lady quickly. There were two men
who wore the helmets ride on the motorbike.The rear-seat robber put his hand out and snatched the
old ladys handbag.
Then , the two man sped off thier motorbike as fast as lightning.The old lady fall down on the
road.She shouted and yield for help.She hopped someone could help her.She dumbfounded and
speechless after the snatch theft because she was very panic and she trembling.After that, a kind
man picked up the old lady and helped her to call the police.
In my opinion , we should sling our bag over the shoulder to avoid the plunder bandits have the
opportunity to snatch.Besides , do not walk alone especially the remote street at night.This is
because the plunder bandits are easy to snatch.Moreover , do not carry expensive items in
handbag.This is because we will not lose our valuable and important things. Last but not least , we
can use a purse instead of handbag.Purse can put in our pockets and the plunder bandits cannot
snatch the purse easily.To put it in a nutshell , we must be careful when walking by the roadside
anytime.

3)Describe an unforgettable incident that you saw on your way home from school

Dark rain clouds was gathering in the sky. I was cycled as fast as I could to get home before the
downpour. When I felt a few big drops at my head, I decided to head for a bus stop, about a
hundred meter away. As I neared the bus stop, I saw a lady rushing towards it from the opposite
direction, tugging a little boy behind her. The little boy was found it hard to keep up with her, so,
finally, she just picked him down and carried him.
Suddenly, a motorcycle roared past me, almost knocking me down. "Hey! Were you mad!" I was
shouting at the motorcyclist. He turned to look at me, and for a split second, I saw his face cruel, glaring eyes and menace expression. However, he just sped off. Then, I realized that he
was heading right to the woman and little boy!
"Watch out! Watch out!" I shouted. I saw the lady turn to look in the motorcyclist, dismay etched
on her face.
In an instant, the motorcyclist had reached the lady. He stretched out an arm and grabbed hold of
her handbag, hitting her on the back at the same time. The impact sent the lady hurtling forward.
The mother and child fell in the road, landing right in the path of a van.
"Stop! Stop!" I screamed at the van driver, waving my arms wildly in the air. Thankfully, the
driver had seen what was happening. With a squeal of brakes, the van stopped a few meters from
the spot where the mother and child lay sprawled on the road.
I saw the lady crawling on the road towards the wailing child. There was blood all over them.
Tossing my bicycle to the side of the road, I ran to help them. By the time I got there, the van
driver had reached them. He was cradling the child and examining his limbs.
"I think your little boy is all right. Nothing is broken," he said. "How about you? Do you feel
pain anywhere?"
"Please help me. I am pregnant," the lady replied, weeping.
"Don't panic. You'll be all right. I'll take you and your son to hospital," said the man.
The lady could not walk, so the man carried her and settled her in his van. I carried the
whimpering child to the van. The man asked me to go along with them so that I could help make
the police report. I realized that, by this time, the motorcyclist would have gone far from that
spot, with the lady's handbag.
A few days later, I was told that the lady had suffered only minor injuries from the incident. She
had some rather deep cuts on her face and limbs, and her knee was twisted. Thankfully, her
unborn baby was unharmed. The snatch thief was never apprehended and I doubt I will ever see

him again. However, I will never forget the menacing look he had given me.

Snatch Thief
i) Describe the appearance and mannerism of the protagonist.
ii) Where she is going and what happened on the way.
iii) How she reacted and who helped her.
iv) How the thief was caught eventually.
v) The moral of the story.
Miss Joan Chen, a nouveau riche with a love for fine jewellery, had an ostentatious sense of dressing.
She liked wearing branded clothing and expensive jewellery to flaunt her newly acquired wealth.
However, one fateful evening, she was taught an important lesson on modesty.
On her way to a business dinner, dressed to the nines in her showy suit dress and adorning a precious
limited edition diamond necklace, she sashayed down a public street to a famous restaurant. Envious
eyes laid upon the invaluable necklace that is clasped around her neck and she obviously enjoyed being
in the limelight.
Like a bolt out of the blue, a crook sneaked right behind her and snatched it right off her neck with a
forceful swoop like an eagle sweeping its prey swiftly. Instantaneously, he took to his heels and made
away with it. Alarmed, she pointed at him and screamed hysterically for people to stop him. Her cries did
not fall upon deaf ears as two helpful passers-by and a policeman gave chase. They were in hot pursuit of
him and he could not out- run the two teenage boys.
They soon caught up with him and pounced on him from behind. He put up a struggle but the policeman
and two boys pinned him to the ground. The handcuffs were secured and he was arrested. The diamond
necklace was retrieved and returned to its rightful owner, Miss Chen.
She expressed her gratitude to them for being courageous and helpful. As the saying goes, Once bitten,
twice shy. From then, she learnt to dress more sensibly and less extravagantly unless the occasion called
for it.

Preventing snatch thefts

Write an article for your school magazine and give your suggestions.
The local media, especially the local dailies, have been replete with reports of snatch thefts. The
barrage of media reports has caused more than a sense of anxiety, it has caused fear and panic

among residents. Recently, there has been a spate of snatch thefts in our area. Snatch thefts tend
to escalate during festive seasons and holidays. Hotspots of snatch thefts are quiet and deserted
areas such as residential areas, by the roadside, in lifts and around the bank.
Snatch thieves choose their targets carefully. They often strike when people are off guard.
They home in on people who are alone and those who are distracted. Women and senior citizens
are especially susceptible as they may be unable to defend themselves. Often the victims are
seriously injured or even killed. To avoid becoming potential victims, we should take simple
crime prevention measures.
Do not walk alone especially in dark and deserted areas. Take your handbag only if necessary. It
is better to carry your purse. Always hold handbags and personal belongings close to the body. If
a snatch thief tugs at your handbag, do not hold on to it. Just let it go. Although you may never
be able to retrieve your belongings, it is better than to hang on to it and suffer injuries inflicted
by the perpetrators. Keep important or valuable items out of sight and be careful of suspiciouslooking motorists or persons. Always be alert and attentive to your surroundings. If you suspect
that you are being targeted, walk to a crowded area. Walk against the flow of traffic and hold on
to your handbag on the side away from passing motorists.
Be careful of suspicious-looking motorists or persons. Snatch thieves often approach potential
victims on the pretext of striking up a conversation or asking for directions. If someone
approaches you, always keep a safe but polite distance. avoid wearing excessive jewellery or
carrying large amounts of cash. Do not flaunt cash and valuables in public. Instead, you should
always be observant of your surroundings.
Snatch thefts are crimes of opportunity. they occur because people do not take the preventive
measures mentioned. Snatch thefts can be prevented if people are vigilant at all times.

Snatch thieves
Write a story that involves a snatch thief.
It was lunch time in the city. Sally and two of her colleagues left their office and walked towards
their favorite restaurant a short distance away. Sally had a handbag slung over her shoulder.
At a crossing, they waited for the light to turn green. When it did, Sally, her colleagues and many
other people crossed over to the other side of the road. Suddenly from the traffic that had stopped
at the crossing, a motorcycle leapt forward. Two men were on it. In a flash, they were beside
Sally and the pillionrider grabbed her handbag. The force of the grab sent Sally tumbling to the
ground. The strap broke and the pillion rider held the handbag in his hand. The rider turned the
throttle and the motorcycle sped off down the road, weaving between other vehicles in their rush
to get away.
Fortune did not favor the thieves. A few seconds later, they crashed into a tanker in the middle of
the road. The two men were sent flying, hitting other vehicles before falling on the road. They

lay motionless.
The whole sequence of events occurred in less than fifteen seconds. In that time, two distracted
drivers crashed into the vehicles in front of them. Finally all traffic stopped. Some men rushed to
the thieves and pulled them to the roadside.
Sally sat on the kerb with her colleagues by her side. She was badly shaken by the whole
incident. She had some cuts and bruises on her body. Otherwise she was all right.

pillion

a seat or place behind the person riding a motorcycle where a

passenger can sit

kerb

the edge of a raised path nearest the road

WITNESSED A SNATCH THIEF

It was a hot sweltering Saturday afternoon. A scorching sun hang high above in
the cloudless sky. I was hot and perspiring profusely by the time I reached the bus stop in
front of a garden.
A bolt out of the blue, I heard a lady's screaming. I looked around and saw a
motorcyclist was pulling the lady's handbag. She screamed when the motorcyclist who sit
behind tried to grabbed her handbag. She tried to saved her handbag but the motorcyclist kept
pulling and dragged her along. I was shocked and frighten at the moment. I panicked. I did not
know what to do next.
At last, the lady let go her handbag as she had been exhausted. Luckily, there were two
security guards that was patrolling around the area past by the bus stop saw that situation and
tried to helped the lady by chasing after the motorcycle. The pedestrian that saw the situation
quickly took out his phone and informed the police about this incident.
Unfortunately, the motorcycle hit a stone and both the motorcyclists fell down from the
motorcycle. The guards quickly caught both of them to prevent them from escaped. After a few
moment, the police had arrived. They quickly caught both of the motorcyclist back to the police
station for investigate.
Luckily, the lady was uninjured and she felt relieved at last. The policemen then returned
her handbag to her. She thanked everyone that had helped her. Soon, my bus had arrived and I
quickly queue up to board the bus. The moral of the story is we must always be helpful and
work together when we met the case such as this.
Vocabulary
sweltering :
scorching :
cloudless :
perspiring profusely :
a bolt out of the blue :