Keep your valuables in your zip up pockets say police
Between April 1 and November 7 this year there have been 335 reported pickpocket offences across Ealing Borough - this is a slight increase on the same period last year when there were 315 incidents of pickpocketing reported.
Ealing came top of the pickpocket crime table with 168 offences over the period. Greenford had 67, Southall 53, Acton 26. There were a further 21 offences where the victim had been unable to give an exact location of the offence.
Victims were targeted in shops, queuing at the post office, on the bus, on the tube and at ATM machines.
The suspects usually work in teams of two or more and can be both male and female. They will bump, crowd or distract a potential victim. They have also been known to make a cut in a victim's bag with a sharp object to remove property.
Ealing Borough Police is advising everyone to minimise the amount of possessions they carry with them. Don't take your camera with you as a matter of course. Also, only take what cash you need and don't carry all your credit cards with you, just the ones you are likely to use.
Keep your purse or wallet somewhere where you can feel it, such as an inside jacket or trouser pocket. Pockets you can zip or button are best. Check every now and then to make sure you still have your wallet or purse on you, but don't make this too obvious as this might draw the attention of a pickpocket.
Likewise, keep your mobile phone out of sight - in a zipped up pocket is best. If you carry a bag, strap it across your chest and keep hold of it, but at the same time try not to look overly cautious. Keep the zip or opening towards you. Be aware that backpack style bags are especially vulnerable to thieves.
Do not leave your bag unattended in a public place, such as in a pub, coffee bar or shop.
If you're trying on shoes in a shop for example, don't walk even a short distance away from your bag. Keep it with you or ask the shop assistant to hold it for you.
Try to appear relaxed, but at the same time be thoughtful about your surroundings. Pickpockets like busy streets and crowded places, and someone bumping in to you could well be a pickpocket. If this happens, check you still have your things with you, but again don't make it too obvious that you're doing this.
If something is stolen, go to the nearest police station or call the police. Think carefully before chasing after someone or trying to restrain a thief. The value of what they have stolen may be minor compared to the consequences of being attacked. Always put your own safety first.
Ealing police reminds everyone to be extremely vigilant against this sort of crime and would like to offer the following crime prevention advice to combat this form of offence.
November 10, 2006
|