also see www.bikeoff.org for bicycle theft modus operandi
Bag Theft / Theft Person Modus Operandi
Below are five perpetrator techniques that have been important in briefing designers and our design projects. For further statistical information see the British Crime Survey (for BCS graphs; for crime definitions).
Dipping, also known as pick pocketing involves discrete access gained through bag or pocket; property removed by nimble fingers. Possible tactics include distraction / blocking.(1)
Slashing often occurs in crowded situations. Victims do not have their eyes on their bags and are unaware when contents have been removed. Characteristics include concealed blades used to cut the body of the bag. Contents fall out or are removed by nimble fingers.(1)
Grabbing, also known as Snatching, is defined as theft from person, unless force is used, then the crime is classified as robbery or 'street robbery.' Characteristics of Grabbing include perceptive use of environmental features and learned techinques by criminals: Strength / stealth involved Force used to pull bag from victim. Straps of bag used as pulling point.(1)
All illustrations: Michael Salmon Please Note: Items of plunder commonly include watches, wallets and bags - the straps of which are sometimes sliced by the perpetrator to make the getaway faster(2). Variations on this scam have been recorded by the police in many cities, including London and Manchester, where it is less frequent than other bag theft perpetrator techniques. More common in Summer time, typical bike related bag grabbing has been described here, 'a guy came flying up on a mountain bike, thumped me and grabbed the bag' by the actress Linda Robson, who was assaulted and robbed in summer 2003 outside her front door in Islington, London’.(3) References |