Pickpockets in London?
Sep 3rd, 2004, 06:30 AM
#21
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lauralamb:
and the evidence for this is....?
Judging by Mrs F's days in court, native-born Brits need no education from foreign tourists in larceny.
If you have hard data for your extraordinary assertion, show it. But unsupported gibes like this really aren't British.
and the evidence for this is....?
Judging by Mrs F's days in court, native-born Brits need no education from foreign tourists in larceny.
If you have hard data for your extraordinary assertion, show it. But unsupported gibes like this really aren't British.
Sep 3rd, 2004, 07:36 AM
#24
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It is such a british tradition that it is now taught in schools.
Many years ago there used to be a chap on TV (think he was called Mark Raffles - could be wrong on this though)who taught you how to pickpockets - for entertainment purposes!
Many years ago there used to be a chap on TV (think he was called Mark Raffles - could be wrong on this though)who taught you how to pickpockets - for entertainment purposes!
Sep 3rd, 2004, 08:25 AM
#25
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flanneruk:
Well my personal experience is that on the two occasions someone has tried to steal from me, on both occasions they have been young Eastern European gypsy types (they weren't successful either time which is how I know it was them). I have also seen several being arrested. NOT that I'm suggesting that they are all guilty or that it's only them.
Be aware that they generally operate in groups. If they ever approach you when you're at a table, be aware that they will probably hold a piece of paper out to you, usually with a message asking for money; whilst doing that they swipe your phone and wallet which they have carefully covered from your view with the paper. This IS common and do be careful - they are also often quite young children.
Other than that, just be as aware as you would be anywhere. And for heavens sake, if you're on the tube (again, watch out for those kids!!) - or anywhere really - make sure you zip up your bag. I'm constantly amazed at how many people walk around with their bags hanging open and their wallets just sitting there, ripe for the picking!
On the whole though, it's not too bad.
Well my personal experience is that on the two occasions someone has tried to steal from me, on both occasions they have been young Eastern European gypsy types (they weren't successful either time which is how I know it was them). I have also seen several being arrested. NOT that I'm suggesting that they are all guilty or that it's only them.
Be aware that they generally operate in groups. If they ever approach you when you're at a table, be aware that they will probably hold a piece of paper out to you, usually with a message asking for money; whilst doing that they swipe your phone and wallet which they have carefully covered from your view with the paper. This IS common and do be careful - they are also often quite young children.
Other than that, just be as aware as you would be anywhere. And for heavens sake, if you're on the tube (again, watch out for those kids!!) - or anywhere really - make sure you zip up your bag. I'm constantly amazed at how many people walk around with their bags hanging open and their wallets just sitting there, ripe for the picking!
On the whole though, it's not too bad.
Sep 3rd, 2004, 09:30 AM
#26
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Walter, I maintain it's a peculiarly English tradition, not British! I don't think the Scots, the Welsh and the N. Irish really have it down to a fine art like the English pickpockets-and now you tell us there was a how-to on the telly for entertainment purposes-that's pretty funny-and confirms my beliefs!
Sep 3rd, 2004, 09:41 AM
#27
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The evidence I have for it is that whenever I read about or hear about a case of pickpocketing, the perpetrators are often of Eastern European origin. No big deal, but the facts are facts. I was in Cambridge this summer and read several accounts of people having their phones taken from cafe tables by people who had Eastern European accents, plus saw in the local press photos of a bag snatcher in operation who was later picked up by the police and who turned out to be a 'refugee'. Not all these crimes are carried out by them but a significant proportion do seem to be.
Sep 3rd, 2004, 10:48 AM
#28
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Newspapers often have an agenda!
And what has been obvious from certain elements of the gutter press in the last 2 years is that they have an agenda to tell us eastern refugees are the source of most of the problems in the UK. I will lay money on that one of the major Sunday Papers will lead on a story this weekend telling us that eastern refugees are here to do, this and the other - most of it shameful hype. Some of the stories that find there way into print are nothing short of shameful bigotry.
And what has been obvious from certain elements of the gutter press in the last 2 years is that they have an agenda to tell us eastern refugees are the source of most of the problems in the UK. I will lay money on that one of the major Sunday Papers will lead on a story this weekend telling us that eastern refugees are here to do, this and the other - most of it shameful hype. Some of the stories that find there way into print are nothing short of shameful bigotry.
