Sadly we have another twist to the concept of ‘buyer beware’. Organised gangs do indeed use homeless people and other foot soldiers in a variety of ‘friendly’ roles precisely to undertake opportunist crime. In one of my roles as a Community Safety wonk, I came across all sorts of scams and, given the ever decreasing resources deployed in policing, came to the conclusion that the best advice was to be safe and to expect the worst in public spaces! Sad but real.
Thank you for commenting! These are organized gangs who do this - they pose as homeless people begging for cash or food and they distract you with a flyer or a map or something and they cover your phone and while you are being kind and sympathetic, they nick your phone. I have found out since that this regularly happens -- I was in a pub in the West End and a lady had fallen victim to the same scam. She and her family were approached by a homeless woman begging from them with a sign. She put the sign over one of their phones and left with it! They didn't realize for a few minutes by which time she was gone. Several of my neighbours have said they have fallen prey to the same scam. It is not really opportunistic if it is organized with gangs targetting specific areas. I asked about CCTV but they said they only record people at the till and since he didn't go to the till... but they couldn't have been more unconcerned really.... it is hardly the top of police crimes to solve and so they don't bother at all.
Sadly we have another twist to the concept of ‘buyer beware’. Organised gangs do indeed use homeless people and other foot soldiers in a variety of ‘friendly’ roles precisely to undertake opportunist crime. In one of my roles as a Community Safety wonk, I came across all sorts of scams and, given the ever decreasing resources deployed in policing, came to the conclusion that the best advice was to be safe and to expect the worst in public spaces! Sad but real.
Too true...
Mobile phones need pockets and pouches, table tops are just too inviting for opportunist thieves ! Did you get any CCTV footage from Costa?
Hi, Dilbagh,
Thank you for commenting! These are organized gangs who do this - they pose as homeless people begging for cash or food and they distract you with a flyer or a map or something and they cover your phone and while you are being kind and sympathetic, they nick your phone. I have found out since that this regularly happens -- I was in a pub in the West End and a lady had fallen victim to the same scam. She and her family were approached by a homeless woman begging from them with a sign. She put the sign over one of their phones and left with it! They didn't realize for a few minutes by which time she was gone. Several of my neighbours have said they have fallen prey to the same scam. It is not really opportunistic if it is organized with gangs targetting specific areas. I asked about CCTV but they said they only record people at the till and since he didn't go to the till... but they couldn't have been more unconcerned really.... it is hardly the top of police crimes to solve and so they don't bother at all.
Will have to read that book!!!
yes, it is very insightful, I think you would enjoy it.