5 Steps to outwit the pickpockets

To the pickpocket, you are a walking, living ATM machine . Always remember that they work in groups or pairs and they have a daily "sales" target or quota to meet, more so when controlled by a syndicate where they will be beaten if they don't.

The general perception is that they are gypsies, but they also could be that harmless old Robert Deniroish looking grandpa in sunglasses ( he kept tailing me at the Trevi ) , 

the Bangla lookout, totting a small battery operated walkie talkie ( they come in all shapes and colours! ), 

the hip young MGK copycat in hoodie ( he made a U turn and looked for the next victim on the next train ) , 

camera totting tourist or a busy executive in an expensive looking suit . 

They love to strike where there is a crowd so if you can't avoid brushing past a crowd, ALWAYS hold onto your valuables REAL TIGHT. 

Other than that, here are 5 extra steps you can either follow or improvise on ....

1. THE DISTRACTION DECOY

 in my case , I lugged a large carryall with lots of zippers and hidden pockets to keep them busy .Stuff the pockets with useless items ( old receipts, hand sanitizer, tissues , old pouches , noisy small plastic bags to frighten them while they're at it ) you're willing to loose and be careless about how you hold the decoy. My act was good enough to get it completely unzipped and left open, at the traffic lights. Only knew the deed was done at a pizza parlour about 10 minutes later. These people are good.

2. MONEYBAG , SLINGBAG AND BRA TRICK COMBO

sounds extremely troublesome to carry out but once you get the hang of it, it's do-able.

*Hidden moneybag

goes round your waist inside your clothes. Passport copy, extra cash for shopping and bank/credit cards , go in there as well. 

*Visible slim handbag

slung in front of your body.This is sort of like another decoy that should only contain enough cash to spend on a meal at a restaurant. 

If on a train, metro or bus and you're not willing to loose this, hold on to it real tight. 

Out in the open, if you are unfortunate enough to meet a snatch thief or mugger , give it up. Throw it to them and scream your nuts off as you run in the other direction.

*The old bra trick 

another extra place to warm your stash .Had an old bra fitted with velcro removable zip pouch pockets on the inside . Extra pockets inside your jacket open you to a risk of them being emptied. Remember that.

3. LOOK THEM IN THE EYE

turn around and take a good , penetrative look at them. 

If they're up to no good, they will hate being recognised and think twice about what they intended to do.

However, if they're not pickpockets, they'll think you've fallen for their amazing good looks and omg I can't help you with that lol. 

4. ALERTNESS , PERSONAL SPACE, BACK TO THE WALL

common sense. Keep your back to the wall or a corner in the Metro or Station. Act paranoid to make it harder for them to pick you. Did this at the Termini, and straight away you are able to tell who's moving in on you. 

Stay alert at all times. They'll come from either side. Counter that by moving away from them. You will get shocked looks from them since they thought you didn't notice them moving in on you. Put on your thick skin and just do it. 

5. HOLD IT TIGHT AS AN OYSTER

as you're moving out from the train, you can't help but brush past people right ? Clam the slim sling handbag under your arm, like a hotpress. Nobody will be able to pry it off you . They have been trained from young, to empty pockets without shifting a bell . An indication of just how skilled they are at the art . Some will say that by holding onto your valuables tight, it tells them where the good stuff is. Look, it's near impossible to relieve you of it, if you automatically hold onto them tightly, whenever there's a crowd or someone moving towards you, right ?