London is suffering from a surge in pickpocketing crime rates.
Time Out reports that the number of reported pickpocketing incidents in London reached 7,899 cases last year.
It is not uncommon for a group of two or three pickpockets to sneak up and snatch wallets or valuables while one of them distracts tourists by striking up a conversation. In November last year, it was reported that well-known Korean YouTuber LeoJ was pickpocketed of his cell phone during his trip to London.
The Central Line had the highest rate of pickpocketing incidents among the London Underground lines. Last year, approximately 2,000 cases of pickpocketing occurred on the Central Line alone. This figure is more than twice as high as the Metropolitan Line, which had the fewest incidents with 776 cases.
Westminster was the borough in London where the most pickpocketing incidents occurred. Last year, Westminster saw over 20,000 pickpocketing reports, surpassing Camden, with 5,300 cases, and Southwark, with 4,200, ranked second and third, respectively.
The British Transport Police warned, “There is a high risk of becoming a victim of pickpocketing, especially in crowded places,” and added, “Tourists are easy targets for pickpockets.”
It is important to report to the police immediately if you have been pickpocketed or witnessed a pickpocketing incident. When traveling, you should always wear your bag in front and close the zippers. You should also have a copy of your airline tickets, passport, and credit cards.
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