In particular during the open-air season people like to spend their time at festivals and other major events. Unfortunately, these events also attract many criminals stealing visitors' purses.

Mostly, pickpockets act in teams distributing their tasks. In so doing they use tricks or create a crowd to scarf up on it inconspicuously.

The police explains the different strategies and gives advices for protection:

The jostling trick:
While one person jostles the victim the accomplice takes advantage of the distraction and reaches carefully for the purse.

The shoving trick:
In crowded buses or trains the thief comes unpleasant close to the victim (facing his/her back) and thus the victim's bag.

The map trick:
Strangers ask the victim to point directions on a map. While the victim tries to orientate the offender pillage the bag.

The exchange trick:
Strangers ask the victim to change money. While the victim gets his/her purse out of the bag and opens the coin pocket the offender distracts the victim and takes a banknote while thorwing the coin into the coin pocket.

The pollution trick:
Especially after withdrawing money "accidentally" the thief spills ketchup or ice cream over the victim's clothes. While trying to clean the clothes, the money disappears out of the pocket.

The supermarket trick:
In the supermarket strangers ask the victim for a certain product. While the victim is looking for this product the bag is taken out of her trolley.

The lift up trick:
In a bar someone claims to be able to guess the victim's weight. While lifting her up the thief or an accomplice takes the purse.

The begging trick:
Children begging for money distract the victim while someone else takes advantes of the distraction taking the purse or bag.

The flower trick:
A stranger welcomes or hugs the victim and pins on a flower. While the victim is puzzled the purse is taken.

The bag carrier trick:
The thief offers the victim (especially elderly people) to carry his/her bag. After arriving at their house the offender runs up the stairs so that the victim cannot keep in step. On their way upstairs the thief steals the purse and the victim does not realise the loss immediately.