The Secrets of a Pickpocket
Anonymous
Part 1
The author served nearly six years in prison for series of pickpocketing
and handbag-snatching crimes. Now out of prison, he has been in rehab for
his drug and alcohol habit. From the inside out, a look at what makes a
mark.
[1] For 25 years I was a full-time thief, specializing in picking pockets.
Where I come from in southeast London, that's an honorable profession.
Anyone can burgle a house, but "dipping" takes skill.
[2] I was eight when my older sister first took me dipping. We walked into an
office building and looked for empty rooms containing a jacket or handbag.
I was terrified as I followed her into a room, tucked my hand in the inside
pocket of a corduroy jacket and pulled out a wallet. But I felt like I'd
earned the few pennies she gave me.
[3] My sister and I were among the most successful pickpocket teams in London.
We worked hotel and theater lobbies, airports, shopping centers,
restaurants. WeĦ|re straight now, but this crime is worldwide. HereĦ|s how
to protect yourself:
[4] Professional pickpockets do not see victims, only handbags, jewelry and
money. Mothers with babies, the elderly, the disabled are all fair game.
[5] My preferred target was the lone female, handbag dangling at her side;
the right side, to be exact, so if I'm next to her I can reach it
discreetly with my right hand across my body. Only about one woman in a
thousand carries her bag on the left, and I tended to steer clear of them.
[6] Most dippers work with a "staller," almost always a woman. She stands to
the victim's right. The timing is crucial. As I move in from behind, the
staller casually takes a half step closer to the target and moves her left
hand (the one nearest the victim) so that her elbow juts out above the
handbag, obscuring it from the victim's view, security cameras or store
detectives.
[7] Women whose bags are hanging in front of them are tricky for the
pickpocket, as there isn't a blind side. If you want to make it even
harder, use a bag with handles rather than a strap.
[8] My pet peeve was the handbag with a clasp on the side and a zipper
underneath. They take twice as long to do; about five seconds. Worse
still are women who keep their wallets in an inside zipped pocket. And a
new bag, especially one made of leather is much stiffer, making it harder to
open without the owner feeling it. Toughest of all is the fanny pack,
because it's worn at the front.
[9] For men, one of the best places to keep a wallet is in the back pocket of
tight trousers. You'll feel any attempts to move it. Another good place
is the zipped-up inside pocket of a bomber jacket. There's just no way in.
[10] For good measure, keep wallets attached to a cord or chain that is
anchored to a belt.
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