POLOKWANE – Women walking alone in the central business district, specifically Hans van Rensburg Street have been warned to be on the lookout for pickpockets, especially if they are bumped into or jostled while walking.
The warning comes from the Polokwane police after at least four women were pickpocketed by a man in his 30’s in separate incidents over the past week.
In two of the incidents, the women were bumped into by a man who then apologised. The man then launched into an explanation that he had been grabbed at and jostled by someone else, demonstrating to the women how this happened.
While their attention was diverted to the manner in which he was tugging at their clothing and telling his long-winded story, he had already grabbed their cell phones, unbeknown to them.
One of the victims, Michelle Ngwepe said her attention was on the story the apologetic man was telling her when her cell phone was stolen. “I felt truly sorry for him as accidents happen. It was only when I crossed Jorissen Street that I realised my phone was missing, but by that time the man was long gone,” she said.
In the other two incidents, the victims said they felt a small tug at their clothes and later found their cell phones were missing.
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala said it was difficult to stop a pickpocket unless he had been caught red-handed.
He said people should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and hide their valuable items securely, or leave them in the office or at home.
“Prevention is always better than cure and we urge people, especially women, not to use their cell phones in public places as this is where the pickpocket finds out what cell phone you have, and decides whether you will become his next target.”
He further said many petty criminals were no longer making use of violence to rob people in the street. He said they had decided to switch to a more caring approach, playing on the emotions of the victim.
“Avoid people who want to have a conversation with you if you do not know them; the chances are good that these people are marking you as a victim,” Phala advised.
He emphasised the importance of reporting all criminal incidents, no matter how small, as soon as possible.
Remembering as much information as possible about the criminal would also assist the police, he said.
