Pickpocketing in the main tourist hotspots more than doubled between April and June when compared with the same period last year, according to new figures.
Police registered 700 cases of pickpocketing during these three months, compared with 375 cases between April and June last year, confirming fears that the stealth of these thieves is on the rise.
The favourite hunting ground for pickpockets is St Julian’s, which includes Paceville, where 289 cases were reported this year.
Next up is Sliema, where 190 unsuspecting people fell victim, followed by Valletta with 98 cases; St Paul’s Bay, 33; and Marsaxlokk, 16.
The items reported stolen usually vary from purses, to cash, and personal documents, including credit cards.
“In the majority of the cases, the culprits target their victims in crowded places like clubs, buses and open markets,” police told The Sunday Times of Malta.
Police suspect the crimes are mainly being committed by foreigners, including Eastern Europeans, however, investigations are still ongoing.
The figures for this year continue to shoot up and on one day alone – July 11 – a total of eight reports of pickpocketing were filed at the Valletta police station.
700 cases of pickpocketing in three months
Reader Valerie Borg wrote in and said that on this day she had withdrawn €250 to go shopping, but ended up buying nothing because her purse has been stolen. In it she had her identity card, driving licence and letter box keys.
“At the police station there were two young girls from The Netherlands and two Americans who were pickpocketed as well. We all agreed that the thieves were Eastern Europeans, as one of the young girls came into contact with one of the thieves,” Ms Borg said, questioning what was being done to stop it.
When contacted, the force’s media office said the Valletta police performed regular patrols and undercover surveillance to detect such crime, which had yielded positive results.
In fact, just a few weeks ago plainclothes policemen who were waiting on bus stops and travelling on buses to curb pickpocketing nabbed a Romanian woman as she was opening a woman’s handbag in Sliema.
A quick-thinking Dutchman was also lucky to catch a young boy attempting to steal his wallet as he was going up the escalator in Bay Street. He felt something touch his trousers, quickly turned around and caught the arm of a young boy, aged around nine or 10.
He pulled the boy off the ground and started shaking him. When he started protesting another four or five boys of the same age appeared from nowhere. He initially assumed it was a childhood prank and let him go after a telling-off. But afterwards he was convinced they were actually a professional gang.
Criminologist Saviour Formosa said in Malta there was no culture of awareness to guard against pickpockets. Many, for example, still left their wallet in the back pocket, offering thieves the perfect opportunity and ease to commit the offence.
“We still feel safe,” Dr Formosa said, urging people to protect their wares against pickpockets waiting to prey at the opportune moment.