Initiative against pickpockets “Eyes open and handbags shut!”
Bonn · Pickpockets earn up to 5,000 euro a day and are highly mobile. A statewide campaign was launched on Monday to make people aware of their tactics and what they can do to avoid becoming victims.
A little chat, the slightest distraction - and already a cell phone or wallet is gone. Stolen by thieves who get around in groups of two or three, mainly in inner cities, on trains and at train stations. After statistics for this type of crime went down in 2015, it seems the odds of becoming a pickpocketing victim is increasing again. On Monday, police launched a new campaign, “Augen auf und Tasche zu!” (Eyes open and handbags shut!) to inform people about how to keep their possessions secure. The statewide prevention campaign is supported by police, the City of Bonn, German Rail, and marketing and business groups. Flyers, films, and discussions are meant to make people more conscious of taking better care of their belongings.
Recent case: On August 5, a 79-year-old man was in a drugstore on Sternstraße when a woman spoke to him, telling him his jacket was dirty. As he took off the jacket, he was suddenly surrounded by three men. One took an envelope containing several hundred euros from a jacket pocket. Police suspect they had observed him getting cash from an ATM beforehand. Photos of the alleged thieves can be found here.
The Criminals: Police say that most pickpockets are professionals who are repeat offenders and make a living off the crime. They are mobile and work throughout Germany and Europe, staying for only a few days in one place so they are not recognized or caught. According to Klaus Mertins, Director of Criminal Police, they are mostly organized bands from southeastern Europe or northern Africa.
How they work: Some will distract the victim while one steals the item and hands it on to an accomplice. They don’t want to be seen which means some may block cameras with their bodies so the others can continue on their stealing spree. Magician Giovanni Alecci says, “Most people think they will never become a victim.” At a press conference, he was able to lift a cell phone from the pocket of North Rhine Westfalia’s Interior Minister Ralf Jäger, even though the Minister had been prepared for something to happen. Alecci explained that a pickpocket just needs the right moment. Police officer Stefanie Kugler said, “A good pickpocket earns between 2,000 and 5,000 euros a day.”
Fabricated confusion: The criminals will first look for someone with an open bag or backpack. They then create confusion and chaos around their victim, seeking body contact. One of them will take the opportunity to lift something in the whirl of activity.
A victim’s experience: A 41-year-old woman was sitting with her daughter in a restaurant in June and got into a conversation with a woman at the table next to her. She didn’t notice that an accomplice was stealing from her while she was conversing. 15 minutes later, the accomplice had stolen 2,000 euro from her bank account. She had no idea how they got her PIN number. It is suspected that she was observed while buying something.
Here are some tips recommended by crime prevention police:
- Be aware that especially in crowds, thieves will try to distract you to steal something.
- Remain on guard when a stranger starts speaking to you.
- Do not carry items of value and documents in your purse, but instead distribute them in inner pockets on clothing items worn on the upper body.
- Wear purses or any kind of handbags completely closed and firmly under your arm with the closed part towards your body.
- Never let luggage or valuables out of sight. If you are hanging up a coat on a hook or hanger somewhere, or throwing it over the back of your chair, take out your cell phone, keys and wallet and keep them in sight.
- Only take as much cash with as you will need.
- Never keep your PIN number near your cash or debit card.
- More photos and a video at: www.ga.de/taschendiebe
Orig. text: Ayla Jacob, GA
