WARNING: to those visiting ayu, pick pockets

[jon_the_d]

We had some pick pocket types lurking around near oxford street where loads of chinese tourists go to spend a LOT of money on designer goods. Chinese people also like carrying huge wads of cash in their bags/wallets, so the thieving bastards target these wealthy, designer goods buying tourists. So yeah, zip things away if possible, and keep very aware. Also don't flaunt your wealth, or even fancy gadgets.

Can't believe he got you to show him everything you had so he could decide what to steal...

Did you tell the police? UK has lots of CCTV cameras...the guy should be found on it easily enough.

[alterna88]

Sorry for being so late in this thread! =( I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. I usually get paranoid when I'm in Oxford street or any crowded street in London and other city, even my home city - Moscow! But on the other hand, it comes with a territory as they say... We shouldn't be gullible and trust every stranger on the street, if it was me there and a random guy walks up to me and says to show the contents of my bag I would ask "On what grounds?!". Nobody, apart from Police can ask of such a thing! And Police man should be dressed like one and be with another female officer. (In UK they are usually patrolling the streets in pairs because male police men are not allowed to approach or touch women...) so unless they were like I've described I wouldn't even have bothered talking to them. If indeed they were from intelligence or whatever, I don't think they would be able to work with the public...
I don't want to sound rude or anything, just trying to tell people to have common sense, I've been caught in this type of situations, when due to me being naive I was tricked so I've learned from my mistake. And usually in these cases we reap what we saw. I saw too many times here in London around Bond Street tourists with big, thick wallets deliberately showing it off... or even worse, people without even a wallet or a purse putting BIG sum of money in the front pocket of the bag where it is easy to get to!! Once a woman was putting it without looking and ended up dropping £200 on the floor in the Bond Street station and next minute another guy picked it up and left before I could call him!

So to sum up! People be on guard, don't trust strangers. If they approach you claiming that they are official workers and ask you any info about yourself, or ask you to show what you have in your bag... ASK FOR THEIR ID you have a right not to talk to them because they are strangers. Even if they show you an ID it might be a fake one, so still be careful if they look suspicious better be safe. And if it is better, go in a groups ok.

Please take care of your selves.

[Sakura_Genki]

Are you able to get a replacement phone? You were so shook up about it when we met you. (This is Liz btw!) The moment you told my friend and I what happened we instantly moved our bags to make sure someone couldn't easily run off with them so thank you for also making sure we were safe too! Practically nowhere is safe from pickpocketers these days so all you can do is be wary and always make sure your belongings are always attached to you some way~