If you haven’t been the victim of a pick pocket or bag snatcher then you probably know someone who has been, and can understand that moment of revelation is embarrassing and stressful. With times being tough and everyone looking for ways to make ends meet it is even more important to ensure that your valuables are kept safe as you do not have the finances available to replace what is stolen.
The most damaging pick pockets and bag snatchers are when you have a full month’s salary in your wallet and then you have no wallet, you cannot pay any of your bills and you cannot buy food, so you land up in more debt because you are a victim of a petty crime.
The article on The Telegraph lists the most common tactics used by pick pockets and bag snatchers, by reading the article you can become wise to the tactics and prevent becoming a victim.
Up close & personal – Any one person or group of people that come to close to you are more than likely a gang of pick pockets, it’s easy for a group of three people to surround an individual then pick pocket them while one distracts the target, another will pick the pocket and pass the wallet to the third person who will then high speed out of the area only to be followed by the other two members of the gang a few minutes later.
Street Entertainment – Impromptu entertainment is a great place for pick pockets because the crowd is concentrating on the entertainment and not the other people in the crowd.
Here are some tips to keep your valuables safe
Less is more – Only have the bare essentials in your wallet, a few pounds and a bank card is more than enough for an outing.
Bag Savvy – Make sure that your bags are not thin material which easily displays the layout within, also thin bags are easily sliced open and the contents obtained within seconds. Bags have zips and latches for a reason, to keep the contents hidden and prying hands away, so make sure you CLOSE all the zips and latches.
Don’t Judge – Just because that elderly gentleman has a sweet smile or that young lad looks like he could be the next Brad Pitt don’t think that they are any different to the person that looks more like a hobo than a businessman, a pick pocket will blend into the crowd quickly so rather be cautious of EVERYONE.
Make sure that you prioritize your personal safety, if you have been a victim of a pick pocket or bag snatching then report the crime to the authorities as quickly as possible, trying to run after the pick pocket or causing a scene could put your life in further danger.
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