New campaign against pickpocketing
Several times a day, bag-snatching or trick theft occurs in the city of Zurich. The Zurich City Police are now addressing the issue with a multi-year and specifically targeted campaign.
An open handbag, a brief moment of carelessness and the purse or cell phone is missing. In the city of Zurich alone, 15 unsuspecting passers-by are robbed every day. Thanks to various prevention and search measures of the police, the number of crimes could already be slightly reduced last year, as the Zurich City Police (Stapo) writes. With the campaign "be mindful"it wants to further reduce these thefts. The population should be sensitized to the fact that a brief touch in a crowd or the uninvited helpfulness of a stranger is enough to become a victim of theft.
The Stapo's main aim with the campaign is to promote personal responsibility. It calls for healthy distrust of pushy people and advises people to carry as little cash and valuables as possible and, if possible, to carry them concealed. The greatest attention should be paid in crowds, at bus stops and in public transport vehicles, as well as in department stores and restaurants. In these places, bag and trick thieves are particularly active - and unfortunately often successful.
Posters, flyers, stickers and advertisements as well as the central campaign website "sei-achtsam.ch" are used as communication tools. An attractive competition will encourage the population to visit the website. The campaign will last until the end of December 2017.
