‘‘Attenzione, pickpocket!’’ A booming voice calls out, which recently has gone viral on TikTok.
This phrase was first said by Monica Poli, a member of the Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. The Italian organization is an anti-pickpocketing group that calls out and films pickpockets stealing from tourists. Their videos show thieves covering their faces and running off.
The videos are shared online, and with the police, in hopes to combat a recent rise of stealing after the coronavirus pandemic. “If you are pickpocketed and you don’t go immediately to the police, the thief will stay free,” Poli said.
Parodies and even a remixed TikTok song were inspired by her videos. The trend began when Cittadini Non Distratti’s account, @cittadininondistratti2 posted a video of Poli repeatedly shouting, “Attenzione, pickpocket!” at thieves around tourists. The parodies include a cat owner yelling the phrase when the cat tries to steal its owner’s dinner, and friends shouting “Attenzione pickpocket!” at each other as a prank, among others. In the song, Poli’s phrase is said over and over again. Even though she is not a fan of them, Poli hopes more awareness will reduce harm and tourist losses. Poli said, “We decided to make our videos go viral to inform tourists to be careful.
Poli has rarely been attacked when calling out the pickpockets. Pickpockets who see her often just run away or insult her, though there can be exceptions. Four years ago, Poli was attacked by four women stealing from a tourist. “They pushed me back, but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourist,” Poli stated.
Pickpockets usually target people who seem distracted. They also target people who display expensive items like cameras, expensive jewelry, or carry plenty of shopping bags. They are often seen keeping an eye on people’s pockets and bags, and they follow the person they intend to steal from.
Pickpockets have several strategies to carry out their job. Some will wear jackets with long sleeves to hide their hand movements while reaching into bags and pockets. Others work in groups, having one member distract the victim while others steal. Pickpockets may create diversions by spilling food or bumping into you. There are also pickpockets who choose to simply take bags hanging from restaurant chairs and other places where it is crowded and everyone is busy. Teenagers and pregnant women are often suspects due to lighter criminal consequences because the teenagers are young, and pregnant women need medical attention.
Maria Pasquale, a Rome-based travel journalist and author, suggests using the less-is-more approach when traveling and sightseeing. Tourists should keep their bags where they can see them clearly and be cautious in a crowded space. Bags should be able to close securely. Money belts and belt bags can be hidden under loose clothing and are a good way to hide credit cards and cash. Electronic devices can be connected to wrist and neck straps for easier access. There are also pickpocket proof clothes that have hidden, zippered pockets. Limiting the amount of objects you bring out with you also helps.
Before traveling, people should identify the emergency contact number in their regions.
Hotel staff and embassies of travelers’ native countries will also help provide resources and assistance. Tourists should get the attention of authorities and surrounding people first before yelling at the pickpockets. “I have never seen someone get violent when called out, they usually run. But obviously, someone should only do what they feel safe doing,” said Gillian Longworth McGuire, a Venice-based travel writer.
Sources
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/style/attenzione-pickpocket.html
https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1690730288022x375736116869708400/How%20to%20spot%20pickpockets%2C%20according%20to%20TikTok%20watchdogs%20in%20Italy%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post.pdf
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/attenzione-pickpocket-tiktok-trend-venice-b1094146.html
This phrase was first said by Monica Poli, a member of the Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. The Italian organization is an anti-pickpocketing group that calls out and films pickpockets stealing from tourists. Their videos show thieves covering their faces and running off.
The videos are shared online, and with the police, in hopes to combat a recent rise of stealing after the coronavirus pandemic. “If you are pickpocketed and you don’t go immediately to the police, the thief will stay free,” Poli said.
Parodies and even a remixed TikTok song were inspired by her videos. The trend began when Cittadini Non Distratti’s account, @cittadininondistratti2 posted a video of Poli repeatedly shouting, “Attenzione, pickpocket!” at thieves around tourists. The parodies include a cat owner yelling the phrase when the cat tries to steal its owner’s dinner, and friends shouting “Attenzione pickpocket!” at each other as a prank, among others. In the song, Poli’s phrase is said over and over again. Even though she is not a fan of them, Poli hopes more awareness will reduce harm and tourist losses. Poli said, “We decided to make our videos go viral to inform tourists to be careful.
Poli has rarely been attacked when calling out the pickpockets. Pickpockets who see her often just run away or insult her, though there can be exceptions. Four years ago, Poli was attacked by four women stealing from a tourist. “They pushed me back, but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourist,” Poli stated.
Pickpockets usually target people who seem distracted. They also target people who display expensive items like cameras, expensive jewelry, or carry plenty of shopping bags. They are often seen keeping an eye on people’s pockets and bags, and they follow the person they intend to steal from.
Pickpockets have several strategies to carry out their job. Some will wear jackets with long sleeves to hide their hand movements while reaching into bags and pockets. Others work in groups, having one member distract the victim while others steal. Pickpockets may create diversions by spilling food or bumping into you. There are also pickpockets who choose to simply take bags hanging from restaurant chairs and other places where it is crowded and everyone is busy. Teenagers and pregnant women are often suspects due to lighter criminal consequences because the teenagers are young, and pregnant women need medical attention.
Maria Pasquale, a Rome-based travel journalist and author, suggests using the less-is-more approach when traveling and sightseeing. Tourists should keep their bags where they can see them clearly and be cautious in a crowded space. Bags should be able to close securely. Money belts and belt bags can be hidden under loose clothing and are a good way to hide credit cards and cash. Electronic devices can be connected to wrist and neck straps for easier access. There are also pickpocket proof clothes that have hidden, zippered pockets. Limiting the amount of objects you bring out with you also helps.
Before traveling, people should identify the emergency contact number in their regions.
Hotel staff and embassies of travelers’ native countries will also help provide resources and assistance. Tourists should get the attention of authorities and surrounding people first before yelling at the pickpockets. “I have never seen someone get violent when called out, they usually run. But obviously, someone should only do what they feel safe doing,” said Gillian Longworth McGuire, a Venice-based travel writer.
Sources
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/style/attenzione-pickpocket.html
https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1690730288022x375736116869708400/How%20to%20spot%20pickpockets%2C%20according%20to%20TikTok%20watchdogs%20in%20Italy%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post.pdf
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/attenzione-pickpocket-tiktok-trend-venice-b1094146.html
