HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PICKPOCKETS

The "art" of picking pockets is among one of the world's 
oldest professions.  Author Charles Dickens' Artful Dodger 
is probably among the best known pickpockets.  However, all 
are not juveniles - and all are not males!

The skilled pickpocket is not the seedy character you'd expect 
to find lurking in a dark doorway.  He (or she) appears about 
as average as you and I in appearance and manner.  Because 
they make a study of how to "blend" into the crowd, pickpockets 
usually remain undetected and can practice their activities 
with little hindrance.

Pickpockets follow no regular schedule.  They operate equally 
well during daylight hours as well as at night.  And if you 
have been led to believe that picking pockets takes place 
only in crowds, forget it!  The only known fact is that 
they generally focus on the public during times when they 
might be carrying more money than usual, such as during 
pre-holiday spending sprees, store sales, at fairs, 
carnivals, horse races, gambling casinos, near bank 
entrances, etc.

While many pickpockets work alone, there are also teams of two 
or three which sometimes involves a female accomplice.  A team 
with nimble fingers is next to impossible to apprehend.  The 
first team member removes the valuables from the unsuspecting 
victim's pockets.  He then secretly passes them on to the next 
member who quickly disappears.  When a female member is also 
employed, she generally engages the victim in conversation to 
distract or delay his attention.

Contrary to what most think, experienced pickpockets do not 
place their hands all the way into the victims pockets.  
Rather, the expert criminal reaches into the top of the 
pocket, takes up a pleat in the lining, then makes a dozen 
or so more tiny pleats, folding the lining with swift dexterity
between his fingers.  The shortening pocket lining moves 
the valuables upward so that they emerge at the mouth of 
the pocket.  The entire act takes place in a second or two.

The best protection for foiling pickpockets is to remove 
the opportunity of becoming a victim. . .

FOR MEN:
1.  The target areas are back trouser pockets, and suitcoat 
    and sports jacket pockets, located inside and out.  A pickpocket 
    who values his freedom avoids front trouser pockets, and 
    especially buttoned or zippered pockets.
2.  If it is necessary to carry your wallet in an unbuttoned 
    pants, coat or jacket pocket, be sure it contains only what 
    you can afford to lose.  Keep large sums of money, credit 
    cards, ID's, etc. in your front pocket or any buttoned or 
    zippered pocket; keys on a chain attached to your clothing.
3.  Never "pat" your pocket to see if you wallet is still 
    there.  This notifies the criminal of the location of your   
    valuables.
4.  Larger size "pocket secretaries" are especially inviting 
    to pickpockets - and relatively easy to steal.

FOR WOMEN
1.	Do NOT carry your wallet in your purse.  Conceal it in 
        a coat or sweater pocket where it does not show a bulge.
2.	Use a purse that is difficult or time consuming to open.
3.	Never let your purse lie unattended on a store counter 
        or in a grocery shopping cart.

If you have been victimized by a pickpocket, immediately 
notify police and give the best description you can.