Pickpocket in Velen: How to protect your valuables when shopping!

Pickpocket in Velen: How to protect your valuables when shopping!

On October 7, 2024, an incident occurred in a tranquil hypermarket environment in Velen that drew the attention of the police and the public to the tricks of pickpockets. At around 11:30 a.m. there was an unfortunate encounter between a customer and a previously unknown perpetrator, which resulted in the wallet and cell phone being stolen from the victim's jacket.

The injured party described that he was only jostled briefly, which is often not noticeable in such a hectic environment. The incident occurred in the shop on Alte Gärtnerei Street, a place where many people do their daily shopping. The suspect is described as being around 50 to 55 years old, around 1.85 meters tall, with short dark hair and wearing sunglasses.

Pickpocketing in everyday business

The police in Borken have asked for information about the case and at the same time issued an urgent warning about pickpockets, who often carry out their crimes in situations with many people. These criminals take advantage of the moment of crowding and use seemingly inconspicuous touches to steal valuables. Just a few seconds are enough to grab their prey.

What is particularly striking is that pickpockets often strike in hypermarkets without video surveillance. This means they benefit from the lack of security monitoring and can operate undisturbed. To protect yourself as a customer, the police recommend keeping valuables in locked inner pockets and ideally transporting money and documents in different pockets. Further protective measures include wearing chest pouches or inside belt pockets, which provide additional security.

A simple but effective safety principle is: “Always carry your bag with the clasp facing your body.” This makes it much more difficult for thieves to strike. It is also advisable to keep an eye on your valuables while shopping, including choosing the goods in the market.

The police are calling on the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious people immediately. The Criminal Investigation Department in Borken is available to answer any information on (02861) 9000. For more information about effective protection measures against pickpockets and other security-related topics, there is helpful advice and further information on various websites.

These incidents highlight the need to remain continually vigilant, especially in crowded and busy environments. A little carelessness can quickly turn into an unpleasant experience.