How to protect yourself from pickpockets

How to recognize a pickpocket

It is almost impossible to accurately calculate the pinch. Even experienced operatives do not always succeed in this, because such thieves practically do not stand out from the crowd: their usual appearance, everyday clothes. But still, they have some common features that are worth paying attention to:

Running eyes. The attacker is looking for a potential victim, and at the same time looks out for him to be followed.
In his hands he holds a "screen" - a bag or a package to hide his hand.

The pickpocket may offer help to get closer. For example, support a woman by the hand, as if helping her get out of the transport, or hold the door at the entrance to the store, letting the lady go ahead.

The thief takes the prey gently with two fingers or tweezers. If the bag cannot be opened discreetly, it uses a piece of blade, broken off at a sharp angle. Sometimes pickpockets work in pairs. One distracts the victim with conversations, while the other cleans out his pockets or purses.

How pickpockets choose a victim

Potential victims of such crimes are women, retirees and teenagers. In most cases, pickpockets choose them, because they are less attentive and vigilant. In case of unforeseen circumstances, they will not be able to provide decent resistance, because they are physically weaker than adult men.

If the attacker operates in transport, the victim usually selects the victim on the street by his clothes. An experienced thief determines by eye how much money a person has in his wallet.

Where pickpockets operate

Their favorite places of work are markets, shopping centers, public transport, bus stations, railway stations. In a crowd, it's easiest to sneak loot out of your bags and back pockets without being noticed.

Urban transport is of particular interest to the tweaks during rush hours, when a huge number of people go to or from work and storm transport, not noticing anything around. Together with the crowd of passengers, pickpockets get on buses, minibuses, trolleybuses and metro.

How to avoid becoming a victim of a pickpocket

When leaving home, count the money in your wallet. Don't take too much.
If you need to take a large amount, do not carry it in your wallet. Better spread out in different places. It is advisable to carry large amounts in the inner pockets of a bag or clothing.
Before leaving the house, make sure that the purse and purse are not visible through the clothes.
Make sure that all the locks on the purse are always fastened, and in a crowded place try to press the bag to you. Avoid the option when she dangles casually behind her back.
Never put your purse with money in a supermarket shopping trolley or keep it open for a long time. Also, make sure that no one cuddles against you.
Do not publicly count the money in the wallet and do not check if the entire amount is in place. Such movements serve as a hint to the thief.
On public transport, pay special attention to your passenger neighbor, who is at the door a step below. The easiest thing for him is to put his hand in your pocket and pull out your wallet.
Prepare money for travel in advance, and not at a bus stop or in transport.
If in transport someone suddenly starts pushing or pressing you, do not forget that this may be just a maneuver to divert attention and steal your property.
Hold the bag tightly under your armpit or in the front so that you always have it in front of your eyes. Do not carry your smartphone in the pockets of your outer clothing.
If you do become a victim of a pickpocket, call the police immediately. Remember, the sooner you report a crime, the more chances you have to catch the attacker in hot pursuit and return the stolen goods.