Infographic: Beware of pickpockets
27 June 2013
Administrator
Protect Your Bubble's infographic highlighting the dangers of pickpockets
Right-click and open the image in a new tab to enlarge
Beware of Pickpockets
Places with the Highest Pickpocketing Rates
1. BARCELONA, SPAIN 2. ROME, ITALY 3. PARIS, FRANCE 4. MADRID, SPAIN 5. ATHENS, GREECE 6.PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 7. COSTA BRAVA, SPAIN 8. LISBON, PORTUGAL 9. TENERIFE, SPAIN 10. LONDON, ENGLAND
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
DURING 2011 & 2012, OVER 625,000 people FELL VICTIM TO PICKPOCKETING IN ENGLAND & WALES ALONE.
PICKPOCKETING HAS increased 17% OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS IN THE UK.
AT IT'S HIGHEST, 1,700 people FELL VICTIM TO PICKPOCKETING EVERY DAY IN LONDON.
314 mobile phones ARE STOLEN EVERY DAY.
1 PICKPOCKET MANAGED TO STEAL 15 MOBILE PHONES worth £6,000 IN JUST 5 seconds.
Brits Too Scared to Use Tablets & Smartphones in Public
82% OF TABLET OWNERS & 44% OF MOBILE OWNERS NEVER USE DEVICES IN PUBLIC.
A Quarter (25%) BELIEVE the SOLUTION TO MOBILE & TABLET THEFT IS TO STOP USING THEM IN PUBLIC WHILE 18% BELIEVE HARSHER SENTENCES FOR GADGET THIEVES WOULD REDUCE CRIME.
Pickpocketing Tactics
The Distraction:
Pickpockets MAY USE A map OR SIMILAR TO ASK FOR DIRECTION. WHILE THE VICTIM IS DISTRACTED - ANOTHER pickpocket steals THEIR BELONGINGS.
The Stall:
THE 2 pickpockets IDENTIFY THE VICTIM TOGETHER. THE 1st pickpocket WILL STALL THE VICTIM BEFORE THEY GET ON THE TRAIN OR BUS. THE 2nd pickpocket WILL SNATCH THE VICTIMS PROPERTY.
The Concealed Hand:
THIEVES TEND TO OFTEN USE A newspaper OR ITEM OF CLOTHING TO conceal their hand. THEY THEN DIP THEIR HAND INTO THE POCKETS OR BAGS OF THE VICTIM.
The Diversion:
THIEVES CREATE A DIVERSION BY DELIBERATELY dropping coins ON THE FLOOR. A 2nd thief WILL STEAL THE VICTIM'S PROPERTY.
The Helpful Stranger:
PICKPOCKETS OFTEN TELL THEIR VICTIM THEY HAVE something on their coat AND OFFER TO BRUSH IT OFF. A 2nd thief WILL MOVE IN AND STEAL THEIR BELONGINGS.
The Easy Dip:
A COMMON TACTIC IS TO follow the victim AS THEY'RE ABOUT TO GET ON A train or bus. IF THEIR BAG IS LEFT OPEN THEY'RE VULNERABLE TO THEFT.
The Top 7 Defense Tactics
1. KEEP PURSES AND WALLETS secure BY CARRYING THEM IN AN INSIDE POCKET.
2. USE HAND AND SHOULDER BAGS THAT Zip up
3. CARRY BAGS in front OF YOU WITH FLAPS against YOUR BODY.
4. DO NOT "flash your cash" AND AVOID CARRYING LARGE AMOUNTS.
5. INSTALL A tracking APPLICATION ON YOUR SMARTPHONE.
6. STAY alert & aware ESPECIALLY IN CROWDED AND CONFINED SPACES.
7. KEEPING YOUR POSSESSIONS SAFE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE insurance FOR PIECE OF MIND.
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