Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing is rampant downtown in busy areas and especially on stuffed trams and buses. It is not uncommon to have money taken right out of your front pocket or out of your purse or backpack – these people are professionals! The best solution is to carry a pouch with your valuables in it around your neck or waist under your shirt, or to use a zippered inside pocket. If you carry a purse, be sure to keep your hand ON your purse when you are in crowded stores or on public transportation.

When traveling, be sure to have no valuables in your backpack because it is so easy for pickpocketers to just unzip a pocket and take whatever!

Watch each others’ bags when traveling. If you’d cry if it were stolen, then don’t put it in your bag.