Police call them Hugger-Muggers. Very friendly - pat on the back, even a big hug, and "Hey Mate! How's it going?" Just as you depart a pub, coffeehouse, or bar late evening. Meanwhile, the accomplice picks your purse or pocket, empties your wallet, and drops it on the sidewalk behind you.
Coordinated thievery, without the slightest signal between hugger and accompanying mugger.
Attention Road Warrioress! Women are prime targets! Top items sought: cash and credit cards from purse or wallet, cell phones, and small electronics.
Primary venues: London - especially Camden and Westminster; Stockholm. Most commonly late evening or night. Don't expect this type of crime to be limited to these two cities or this time of day for long. Just because there's a sharp rise in police reports from these two cities in particular does not mean this is simply a "local phenomenon." It can happen anywhere anytime.
Safety Tips & Prevention:
* Don't let strangers "hug" or touch you. Stop them! They'll try to lead a merry dance around you. Evade and speak loudly enough for passersby to hear: "No! Get away from me!" or "Don't touch me! I don't know you!"
* Wear your shoulder bag strapped diagonally around your neck and under your arm, then slide the bag toward the front of your body. Keep your forearm along the top of the bag with your hand gripping the strap.
* Use a security-cabled bag. Use tiny luggage locks. Secure the phone - don't keep it in an open pocket without Velcro or zipper close. Anything to slow them down! Make things more troublesome for the pickpocket, Hugger-Mugger, or other assorted villain.
* Keep ID, credit cards, and other valuables in a hidden body belt or bra bag which attaches securely to clothing. Use the interior pocket of your jacket, then zip up both pocket and jacket to prevent a hand sneaking in. Stitch up an extra interior pocket inside your jeans.
May your road rise to meet you - and may you remain safe along the road!
Ann
Showing posts with label pickpockets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pickpockets. Show all posts
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Ai-yah! My Handbag Is Dying!
Another trusty on-the-road survival tool is dying - alas! The handles of my trusty shoulder bag have worn out. The microfiber fabric covering steel safety cables has worn through, exposing the metal cabling.
Unlike my poor wheeled computer bag which so recently bit the dust, this bag has served me for about four years. I think four years of rough handling is pretty close to a record for long-term service for a handbag for me. I really cannot complain about a shoulder bag which has done constant harsh duty for four years. Especially since it only cost around USD80 to start with. After all, a friend's USD1600 leather bling bag from some famous designer (which one, I've forgotten) died in half as much time.
I love a well-organized handbag. Useless - and downright annoying - to me are "dump bucket" bags where everything goes in one compartment. I prefer a bag with pockets for my cell phone, a safe space for my passport, and easy access to my ChapStick! If I lose my keys in the bottom of a bag, I can go ballistic when I'm in a rush or under the gun (which seems like most of the time).
This bag has been the best organized of any handbag I've ever owned or designed myself and had made. I had one many years ago which came pretty close, and never found another like it. Until I discovered DayMakers.
This is the large DayMakers travel bag with an excellent variety of pockets. It holds my wallet (I might tell you about it sometime, as it has proven particularly well organized for the traveler), cell phone, phone recharger, digital camera (the point & shoot, not a DSLR with lenses), critical documents, and more.
What's really special about my DayMakers bag is the security features. The handle and around through the bottom is stainless steel cable to protect against bag-slashers, pickpockets, and baggage thieves. Other features help me feel more secure carrying it around. And the microfiber fabric bag shows little wear - except for the handle where steel cable wore right through it.
Now they have a new model, quite similar in design to what I've been using for the past four years. But Billy Norris, owner/designer for this Santa Barbara firm, has added RFID blocker technology to some of his travel handbags and other accessories.
So, I'm aiming to get some of these products and test them out. I sure am happy with this firm to start with. I wonder if they can make me - and you! - even happier?
May your road rise to meet you - and your bags rise to your expectations!
Ann
Unlike my poor wheeled computer bag which so recently bit the dust, this bag has served me for about four years. I think four years of rough handling is pretty close to a record for long-term service for a handbag for me. I really cannot complain about a shoulder bag which has done constant harsh duty for four years. Especially since it only cost around USD80 to start with. After all, a friend's USD1600 leather bling bag from some famous designer (which one, I've forgotten) died in half as much time.
I love a well-organized handbag. Useless - and downright annoying - to me are "dump bucket" bags where everything goes in one compartment. I prefer a bag with pockets for my cell phone, a safe space for my passport, and easy access to my ChapStick! If I lose my keys in the bottom of a bag, I can go ballistic when I'm in a rush or under the gun (which seems like most of the time).
This bag has been the best organized of any handbag I've ever owned or designed myself and had made. I had one many years ago which came pretty close, and never found another like it. Until I discovered DayMakers.
This is the large DayMakers travel bag with an excellent variety of pockets. It holds my wallet (I might tell you about it sometime, as it has proven particularly well organized for the traveler), cell phone, phone recharger, digital camera (the point & shoot, not a DSLR with lenses), critical documents, and more.
What's really special about my DayMakers bag is the security features. The handle and around through the bottom is stainless steel cable to protect against bag-slashers, pickpockets, and baggage thieves. Other features help me feel more secure carrying it around. And the microfiber fabric bag shows little wear - except for the handle where steel cable wore right through it.
Now they have a new model, quite similar in design to what I've been using for the past four years. But Billy Norris, owner/designer for this Santa Barbara firm, has added RFID blocker technology to some of his travel handbags and other accessories.
So, I'm aiming to get some of these products and test them out. I sure am happy with this firm to start with. I wonder if they can make me - and you! - even happier?
May your road rise to meet you - and your bags rise to your expectations!
Ann
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Safety Is Always a Major Concern for Road Warrioresses
While a grad student, a few classmates and I went to Houston for a professional conference. I left my small group - and roommate for that trip - downstairs to run back to my room for something. One man got in the elevator with me, but it was not a concern until we got off the elevator and he started following me down the hall. I got my room key in hand quickly, unlocked the door and grabbed the safety latch as I closed the door. Just in the knick of time! He stuck his hand in the doorway as I tried to close it. Fortunately, I got the latch over the edge of the knobby-thingy just enough to prevent him from opening the door. I crashed my weight against the door and slammed it on his hand. With a few yelps, he took off!
Don't worry about the guy's hand in such a situation! Quick thinking and quick movement saved me.
But it made me safety conscious even before beginning a job which required near-constant travel. I always slip the safety latch (better) or safety chain as I enter my hotel room door.
So imagine my distress when - for the first time in years of travel in numerous countries - I discovered the safety latch on the door of my hotel room was broken. I latched it, and only later noticed the screw was loose and did not latch securely. I checked out.
Your safety and security has to be your constant concern on the road. Your first line of defense is to PAY ATTENTION! Victimizers look for the person who is distracted, who fails to look around, pay attention not only to what they are doing, but to what is going on around them.
Before you explore a market, secure your shoulder bag - put it diagonally across your shoulder and toward your front. Zip it up. Otherwise, a pickpocket can dig in an open bag or slip it off your shoulder and run away with it.
Who is paying attention to you or your "stuff" instead of the sights? That should put you on alert. Anyone following you? Have your room key ready to insert & slip inside quickly, fasten the safety latch.
There are lots more safety tips - and do share yours here! But your first line of defense is your own powers of observation. Develop the fine art of observing carefully and constantly.
May your road rise up to meet you!
Ann
Don't worry about the guy's hand in such a situation! Quick thinking and quick movement saved me.
But it made me safety conscious even before beginning a job which required near-constant travel. I always slip the safety latch (better) or safety chain as I enter my hotel room door.
So imagine my distress when - for the first time in years of travel in numerous countries - I discovered the safety latch on the door of my hotel room was broken. I latched it, and only later noticed the screw was loose and did not latch securely. I checked out.
Your safety and security has to be your constant concern on the road. Your first line of defense is to PAY ATTENTION! Victimizers look for the person who is distracted, who fails to look around, pay attention not only to what they are doing, but to what is going on around them.
Before you explore a market, secure your shoulder bag - put it diagonally across your shoulder and toward your front. Zip it up. Otherwise, a pickpocket can dig in an open bag or slip it off your shoulder and run away with it.
Who is paying attention to you or your "stuff" instead of the sights? That should put you on alert. Anyone following you? Have your room key ready to insert & slip inside quickly, fasten the safety latch.
There are lots more safety tips - and do share yours here! But your first line of defense is your own powers of observation. Develop the fine art of observing carefully and constantly.
May your road rise up to meet you!
Ann
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