Alert: Rise in Pickpocketing Incidents as Students Return

With the return of students, pickpocketing incidents are on the rise again. Pickpocketing is a form of theft where a person (the “pocket-picker”) sneakily takes money, wallets, phones, or other valuables from someone’s pocket, bag, or clothing without them noticing. Most of the time the incidents happen in crowded areas where the suspect(s) use techniques like misdirection, bumping into victims, or working in groups to create distractions.

With the return of students, pickpocketing incidents are on the rise again. Pickpocketing is a form of theft where a person (the “pocket-picker”) sneakily takes money, wallets, phones, or other valuables from someone’s pocket, bag, or clothing without them noticing. Most of the time the incidents happen in crowded areas where the suspect(s) use techniques like misdirection, bumping into victims, or working in groups to create distractions.

The most common technique in Potch is where the suspect engages in small talk after which he will hug or “play” with the victim. It’s during the latter that the valuables are snatched from the victim’s pockets. The suspect normally quickly gets into a getaway vehicle and have fled by the time the victim realizes that his/ her belongings are gone.

According to some statistics published by havengear.com in 2022, approximately 400 000 pickpockets occur globally every day. Do not become a pickpocket victim.

 To prevent pickpocketing, take these precautions:

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you hold on to your belongings when moving through a crowd of people or while standing in the crowd (like during a concert).
2. Avoid suspicious strangers. Do not let strangers touch, hug or joke around with you.
3. Avoid distraction. Pickpockets often work in groups. One person will distract you while the other steals your valuables.   
4. A visible (especially) phone is a target. Do not put your phone or wallet in your back pockets.

You have the right not to let strangers come into your personal space. If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone or make an alarm so that people around you know what’s happening.