Europe’s robber thieves like to steal and rob, I believe we have heard. Thieves are especially rampant in Paris, France, even to the extent that the Eiffel Tower was forced to close and the Louvre employees went on strike in protest. European thieves are team fighting, so that people can not be defended. So as long as people in Europe, whether it is travel or long stay, anti-theft prevention is an important part of life.
A friend who came back from France, and I shared her experience, organized to help people traveling to Europe to distinguish thieves, and know their tricks, to maximize the elimination of being pickpocketed by the robbery.
Thieves’ places of operation
Thieves will be in the major tourist cities in Europe. Mainly in the most visited cities: Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Athens, Prague, Lisbon, Florence, London, Amsterdam, etc. They can be found. But even in country towns you can’t let your guard down and keep an eye on your wallet, cell phone and other valuables at all times.
Generally speaking, famous attractions are crowded and so are the thieves. For example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Wishing Pool in Rome, the Charles Bridge in Prague, the Acropolis in Athens, etc. are all places where thieves can easily strike.
Then there is the station, as in China, the train station is very crowded and fast. People waiting for trains at the station are easily distracted and often neglect their belongings, giving thieves an opportunity to take advantage of them.
Then there are restaurants, cafes, bars, and other places where you can sit down. Cell phones and bags should not be out of your sight, and it is best not to put your phone on the side table and not to carry your bag behind your chair.
Finally, in museums, department stores and beaches, you also need to be wary of thieves. These places are not as crowded as the stations, but there are all kinds of people who have various reasons to approach you.
Characteristics of thieves
You can’t judge a thief by his or her appearance. Although the easiest type of thief to distinguish in Europe is a group of Roma or Arabs in pairs, you cannot assume that such people are the only thieves. The thieves have learned to follow the customs of their hometown, ranging from ordinary people in T-shirts and jeans, to blondes who look like office workers, to children under 10 years old, or 15 or 6-year-olds who look like they are working part-time. Most of them are team players and need to be wary of gangs!
My friend has lived in Paris for ten years and has personally experienced two close calls with pickpockets. Once was on the stairs of the metro, she had her bag slung behind her. When she was walking up the stairs, she felt someone tugging on her bag and turned around to see a teenager unzipping her bag, so she yelled and stopped the thief from pickpocketing. Another time, she was crossing the street with another friend on Champs-Elysees Avenue. The same reprimand prevented another pickpocketing.
Of course the friend was a very cautious person and was lucky enough to spot the thief in time and bravely stop him both times when he was acting alone. But many people, when traveling in Europe, lack of alertness, think that the quality of Europe’s people, good security, when taking pictures with bags directly aside, will easily give the camera to strangers, let others help to take pictures. This has given thieves the opportunity to take advantage of.
A friend who just went to France not long ago, went to a bar to watch the ball during the World Cup. When he got high, he didn’t care about anything, he took off his jacket and threw it everywhere, he didn’t put his wallet or anything else with him, and he drank the drinks handed to him without caution. When I woke up in the morning, everything had been stolen, and I was almost stripped of my underwear and thrown out naked. It’s no use calling the police in a situation like this, where the male friend, himself so drunk and dazed, can’t even carefully describe who poured him the drink and who sat next to him. The police can not help, lost money and documents can only admit their own fate.
The usual tricks of thieves
Tailgating is the most common method used by thieves. Be alert to groups of strangers following you, when it’s best to avoid them by holding your bag.
Disguised as a questionnaire, using documents as a cover, waiting for an opportunity to strike. This is also a team effort for more, a distraction, one from behind. The same type of pretend to ask for directions with a map as a cover, etc.
Squeeze the subway. Thieves detailed pretend to rush, push and squeeze you to get on the subway together, in the push and shove between the hands of the theft. The same has to do with crowded escalators, thieves by creating crowded, take advantage of the chaos to strike.
Do not think that European thieves do not have the technical content, they will also scratch the bag, riding a motorcycle to directly grab the bag, but also installed in the ATM machine camera, shoot the card number password, steal the card deposit.
European thieves are no different from domestic thieves and need to be on our guard at all times.
Preventive measures
The best way to prevent theft and prevent theft is to go abroad without cash and credit cards. Raise your own vigilance, do not leave your valuables, do not show your money, use a sturdy bag, the case should not be too big, etc. If you really encounter a theft situation, do not be afraid, according to the situation at the time to call for help or escape and then seek help.
The most critical thing is to improve their own alertness, thieves are distracted, negligent people to choose the target. When you go out, theft prevention and enjoyable travel are not in conflict. Please walk through the streets of Europe in a happy mood, while holding on to your bag and being alert to strangers.
