Away with a flick

The bag with the long strap hangs casually over the shoulder. The thief can easily approach from behind, cut the straps and is quickly out of the picture. It is best to always carry your bag in front of your stomach, especially in crowded places. The wallet should be in an inside jacket pocket, as close to your body as possible. If the shoulder straps are short, clamp the bag firmly between your arm and body. Backpacks are an absolute no-go at markets.

Completely distracted

The shoes are a dream and you want to try them on straight away. Your handbag is dangling from the back of your chair. This is a feast for any pickpocket who walks past inconspicuously and simply takes the bag. You should always keep an eye on the valuable item, whether in a store, restaurant or bar.

All papers gone at once

Anyone going into crowds should inspect their wallet beforehand. Which cards and IDs do you really need to take with you? You can safely leave a lot of things at home. You can take a copy of your identity card with you. The EC card is best kept in a belt pouch. Just in case, make a note of the emergency number for blocking cards: 11 61 16

The typical look

There are, of course, no distinguishing features for pickpockets. But sometimes you can recognize them by the fact that they avoid eye contact and only focus on their prey in the vicinity. The worst tricks The police list the tricks used by thieves on their website. For example, asking a stranger for a city map. You are distracted while explaining, and someone else grabs the bag. www.polizei-beratung.de