The increased influx of customers into stores, shopping in a hectic atmosphere, often with the participation of all family members, including small children; the multitude of promotions, tempting offers and marketing activities focused on shoppers’ psychology—all this means that, absorbed in shopping, we often forget the simplest safety rules.

How can you avoid being robbed while shopping?

Remember that when going shopping, we should not take all our possessions with us. We should take only the payment cards we need or only as much money as necessary.

Our belongings should always be kept somewhere where we can see them at all times. Most often, when entering a store, we put our jackets, bags, wallets and pouches in shopping baskets, and then, engrossed in looking at goods on the store shelves, we completely forget about them. We pay no attention to them.

At that point, all it takes is a moment for a thief watching us to take a wallet or other documents left in the basket and leave with our money or payment cards.

Pickpockets may appear in very crowded places, such as buses and stores. It is difficult for an untrained observer to recognize them in a crowd. They may be young, well-dressed men, elegant girls, teenage boys or even older gentlemen. They can be nice, polite and willing to help.

They act quickly and most often in groups. They take advantage of every mistake and moment of inattention. As a rule, they attack in crowds while people are boarding or leaving a vehicle or looking at goods in a store. They often create the crush themselves and arrange situations that absorb the victim’s attention. This can happen both in a store during holiday shopping and on public transport.

What can you do to avoid becoming a victim of pickpocketing?

  • We should keep purses and wallets in a closed inner jacket pocket. They should not be put in the side outer pockets of jackets or coats, and under no circumstances in the back pocket of trousers.
  • It is better to divide larger amounts of money into smaller sums and put them in several pockets.
  • Let us not carry more money than necessary.
  • For many women, carrying money in baskets, open bags and shopping bags is a harmful habit. When boarding a train, tram or bus, keep luggage containing money, such as handbags and briefcases, in front of you.
  • It is important to carry a handbag properly. It should always remain within its owner’s line of sight. In a crowded vehicle, store or marketplace, it is best to hold the handbag in your hand in front of you.
  • Whenever possible, avoid crowds. It is worth paying attention to people who push for no reason and watch other people’s pockets and handbags. A thief is not interested in the goods displayed on the counter.
  • When someone presses against us or touches our luggage or pocket, we should carefully look at the people around us. A pickpocket would prefer to remain anonymous while “working.”

Police:

We remind you not to leave documents, keys, items of clothing or any other valuables in cars.