"Pickpockets often don't travel alone. They work in groups. One of them bumps into the victim or distracts them, then grabs it in a flash and immediately passes the loot to an accomplice undercover. Unlocked or left handbags or abandoned cell phones and wallets naturally make it particularly easy for thieves," warns Chief Inspector Peter Gall, who is responsible for crime prevention at the Paderborn district police authority.
Carry money and valuables close to your body
"It is advisable to consider in advance how much money and which valuables you really need. Money, bank cards and other documents, such as passports, should then always be carried as close to the body as possible in various closed inside pockets of clothing. Chest pouches are also a good alternative," recommends Gall. If you are carrying items in a shoulder bag, it should be closed and worn with the closed side against your body. The same applies to rucksacks, which should ideally be worn closed with the fastening side in front of the stomach.
Victims should call 110 and block their bank cards
The police also advise people to make a note of their bank card details (account number and sort code) and the device number (IMEI number) of their cell phone and to keep this note at home. "If you are still a victim of pickpocketing, you should contact the police immediately by calling the emergency number 110. If payment cards have been lost, they can be blocked by calling the nationwide emergency number 116 116," says Gall.