The top tricks used by pickpockets and bag snatchers Be suspicious of people finding a reason to come too close Seemingly helpful strangers asserting you may have dropped something, asking the time or for directions or, less fashionably than used to be the case, a light for a cigarette. Any of these overtures may have an ulterior motive. Be alert to anyone stopping to tie their shoelaces rather too close or who bumps into you or touches you. Street ruses People setting up a box and doing card or other "magic" tricks may be part of a gang the remainder of which may be circling the audience dipping into bags and pockets. Technique Holding a jacket and sneaking one hand under it to effect a theft is one deft trick that may be used. Edging something left on the floor away inch by inch from where it started until it is in a good position to snatch is another. Pickpockets are known as "dippers" for a reason. Don't leave a bag with anything worth stealing in it open. Having a place to hide something Be aware that a buggy heaped with blankets and so forth can also be good camouflage for an extra (nicked) bag. Precautions Minimise the valuables you take out with you. If you must keep important things put them in inside pockets if possible and not in a back one. Particularly mobile phones and wallets. Think about wearing a body belt under your clothes and keeping valuables in that. Avoid showing wodges of money Avoid bags made of thin material that reveal to a practised eye what might be in them and can be slit surreptitiously with a small knife and the contents extricated. Close all zips etc. Don't typecast people A thief may well not be the person you might expect. Pickpockets tend to make themselves inconspicuous and meld into a crowd. They won't necessarily look like Fagin's apprentices. Personal safety comes first If you do become the victim of a theft remember your personal safety is the priority. Report stolen property to a police officer either in person or via 101.