Up close and personal …
As the tourists arrive in increasing numbers so do the pickpockets. Phil Heinlein offers some advice.

“Well-dressed and amiable”
According to a spokesman at Nice police headquarters, reported offences of pickpocketing — vol à la tire in French copspeak — easily double in July and August. Another peak period is during Carnival when gangs work the crowds, often travelling in specially from Italy, Eastern Europe or even Latin America. There are two main varieties of pickpockets these days. Bands of kids — often from places like Romania or Croatia — who surround a victim and rely on speed and a quick getaway. Then there are others, adults working alone or in pairs. “They don’t look like comic-strip bad guys,” insisted one police officer. “They’re often well-dressed and appear amiable. That’s how they can mingle with people without arousing suspicion.”

Traditionally, pickpockets had a pretty crude technique. They’d “accidentally” jostle their victim and quickly relieve him or her of pocketbook, purse, cell-phone or what have you. Nowadays they’re better trained. “They go to school. Seriously,” our police expert told us. “There’s a famous scuola dei ladri in Naples where the apprentice thieves practise on tailor’s dummies. And it’s not just a quick hand in the pocket. A few examples: they learn how to use surgical forceps to remove items from pockets so the victim is less likely to feel anything and also how to use a razor to cut the strap of a handbag. They also rehearse standard tricks like pretending to sell newspapers on a café terrace and sweeping up items on the table while holding the papers in the victim’s face.”

Tourists are the main victims during the season — they’re relaxed and off-guard. “And sometimes stupid,” said our policeman. “You get people who’ll leave valuables under a towel on the beach and then trot off for a swim. Pickpockets know this happens and prowl the beaches looking for easy pickings. They don’t even have to use their professional skills. They just answer an invitation! But they’re also out in force along the Prom’ and in similar places like the Croisette. That’s why you see mounted police on the seafront in Nice. Up in the saddle they get a good view of what’s happening and if necessary they can move fast.”

“Residents at risk”
Tourists are the prime target but residents are just as much at risk. So what’s useful advice? First of all, be aware of that risk. It’s greatest in places where there are a lot of people — in shopping malls like Nice-Etoile and Cap 3000, at larger train stations and at the airport, and, of course, on the buses. Secondly, don’t issue an invitation to the pickpocket. That means not flashing your cash around and making yourself as secure as possible: button inside pockets, keep handbags zipped up, don’t have your cellphone sticking out of a pocket. And finally — be distrustful. “Sad but true,” confirmed our policeman. “One trick that works is when a guy squirts ketchup or something else on someone’s jacket and then tells them they’re soiled and offers to hold the garment to allow the stain to be inspected. While doing this good deed, he nimbly goes through the pockets. Believe me, it happens …”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form