Beware of pickpockets at Christmas markets
At the start of the first Christmas markets in Lower Saxony, the State Office of Criminal Investigation is warning visitors about pickpockets. Christmas markets attract large crowds of people, the authority announced in Hanover on Monday. These are attractive for pickpockets. "This is because the crowds between the market stalls offer good opportunities to strike unnoticed and then quickly disappear." Officials therefore recommend that visitors inform themselves in advance about the tricks used by pickpockets. The thieves often travel in groups and disguise themselves as "jostlers" or fake tourists, they said.
To protect against pickpockets, the State Office of Criminal Investigation advises, among other things, to only take as much money and payment cards with you as necessary. Valuables should ideally be kept in different inside pockets that are locked.
According to the police, the majority of the almost 100,000 cases of pickpocketing in Germany in 2022 remained unsolved. Many Christmas markets start this week in Lower Saxony and Bremen. Some markets are already open.
In light of the unsolved pickpocketing cases in Germany last year, it's essential for visitors to be vigilant and aware of customs related to thieves. At customs checks, travelers are often required to declare all their valuables, including fixed items like jewelry or electronic devices.
Source: www.dpa.com
