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During the holiday season, German Polizei patrol more and conduct more traffic controls in combination with DUI checks in the Westpfalz.
At this time of year, pickpockets search for victims at Christmas markets and in stores, and perpetrators are even known to snatch mobile phones out of people’s hands.
“Police officers patrol in the streets and at markets in various towns and villages in the Westpfalz, watching for alleged criminals,” said Peter Stein from the German Police Liaison Office on Ramstein.
Pickpockets find targets in narrow alleys at Christmas markets and in busy stores. They usually work in groups. One distracts the victim, while another one reaches for the valuables and passes them on to a third person, who then disappears in the crowd.
“If they don’t get caught in the act, they are difficult to find, especially since victims don’t notice the loss until later,” Stein said.
Pickpockets observe their possible victims for quite a while.
“They bump into them, ask flimsy questions, offer their help or smudge their clothes with glühwein or mustard to get into contact,” Stein said.
Thieves approach victims from the back, push them until they turn around and thus present their purses or wallets in coat pockets.
Tips for a jaunty visit to a Christmas market:
Pickpockets can get recognized by their searching look. They avoid direct eye contact with the victim and rather look for the haul.
• Only take as much cash as you actually need.
• Carry money, credit cards and ID cards in various inside pockets of your clothes, close to the body.
• Carry purses with the closing side (zipper) to the body.
• Watch your valuables in crowds. Be suspicious if you suddenly get pushed or two people sandwich you.
• Never keep your PIN in your wallet.
• If you lose a credit or bank card, get them locked.
Another common trick is used in parking lots of discount stores or shopping malls.
“Especially women are victims here,” said Christiane Lautenschläger from the Police Headquarters Westpfalz in Kaiserslautern.
Thieves watch customers return to their vehicles, place their purses on the passenger seat, then load their purchased items in the trunk.
“Shoppers are really busy loading all of their stuff, they don’t notice thieves approaching and pulling the purse out of the car,” Lautenschläger said. “So, we ask everybody to never leave the purse and wallet out of (their) sight.”
The so-called “handy ripping” is another trick nowadays. Perpetrators ask people on the street to give them their mobile phone to make an urgent call. As soon as they have it in their hands, it is gone. Often, they beat owners if they try to get it back.
During the holiday season, German Polizei also conduct more traffic controls and DUI checks.
“We know many people enjoy glühwein at Christmas markets or consume alcohol at a Christmas party,” Stein said. “We ask people to use public transportation or call a taxi for their own and other’s safety.”
