Vertical Markets

Tricks thieves use

by Mark Rowe

In the run up to Easter, British Transport Police (BTP) are reminding passengers of the tactics used by thieves so the travelling public can better protect their personal belongings. The advice follows a national BTP initiative on Thursday, March 13, to tackle pickpockets, gadget grabbers and luggage thieves who operate on the railway.

A day of action, as part of Operation Magnum, from 7am to 10pm involved hundreds of uniformed and plain-clothes officers stepping up patrols on trains, at stations and across the London Underground network. In total 18 people were arrested in connection with theft offences.

BTP officers were also on hand to support Revenue Inspectors, while police staff handed out crime prevention leaflets advising passengers of the different tactics used by thieves.

These include:

The Easy Dip – A thief takes advantage at busier stations and crowded trains, which make it easier for them to dip into the victim’s unzipped bag unnoticed.

The Plucker – A sleeping passenger can quickly become a victim of theft.

The Earlybird – A thief boards the train at the start of the journey: they pick out a bag and leave the train before it has departed.

The Blind-spot – Thieves will spot a victim who is distracted trying to store luggage on a busy train, or who cannot keep an eye on their valuables.

Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden, who led the operation, said: “During the Easter break many people travel on the railway to visit family and friends. We want passengers to be aware of the tactics and distractions used by thieves so they can better protect themselves from becoming a victim. Operation Magnum has been a success with a 15.7 per cent reduction in theft across the UK’s rail network. However, we are not complacent and will continue to do everything we can to protect the travelling public from thieves.”

Operation Magnum was set up in April last year after a pilot on the London Underground network. Between 1 April 2013 and Wednesday, 5 March 2014, theft committed on trains and at stations across the UK has reduced by 15.7 per cent, with 2,498 fewer victims compared to the same period the previous year, BTP report.

The London Underground has seen the biggest improvement during the same period, with a 28.9 per cent reduction in theft offences and 1,851 fewer victims.

As part of Operation Magnum, officers have issued video clips (www.btp.police.uk/theft) to help the travelling public spot the 13 most common tricks thieves use.

Related News

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing