Never fall victim to pickpockets again! ELIANA SILVER joins vigilantes to catch thieves in action - and shows you how to spot them | Retrui News | Retrui
Never fall victim to pickpockets again! ELIANA SILVER joins vigilantes to catch thieves in action - and shows you how to spot them
SOURCE:Daily Mail
Patrulla Madrid films and exposes pickpockets across the city's streets and stations, which has earned the group more than a million followers across their social media platforms.
I'm in a busy Madrid metro station with 'Patrulla Madrid', a grassroots vigilante movement that has taken on the city's pickpocket epidemic.
Suddenly, the group spots a young woman sliding her hand into an elderly commuter's handbag.
'Carterista!' ('Pickpocket!') they shout. Whistles shriek and phones fly up to record the scene.
They recognise the woman immediately. Her name is Dona, and she is one of Madrid's most notorious pickpockets.
Patrulla Madrid films and exposes pickpockets across the city's streets and stations, a strategy that has earned the group more than a million followers across their social media platforms.
Its 18 volunteers come from every demographic, including immigrants, LGBT activists, retirees and people with completely opposing political beliefs, yet they all agree that Madrid has reached a breaking point.
I spent time with them to understand how their operation works.
The group was formed by Javier, a tour guide who had grown tired of watching tourists get mugged.
Dona waiting at the train station after being caught by Patrulla Madrid
A man slipping his hand into an unsuspecting victim's bag
A prolific Bosnian pickpocket using a jacket to hide her hand as she attempts to rob a man
Today, he is at the front of the action, leading the volunteers who surround Dona and escort her toward the train to make sure she leaves the city centre.
As we walk, Antonio, a veteran member, explains their approach. The group confronts thieves by blowing whistles and shouting, drawing attention from the public.
'We want everyone to remember their faces. While we can't arrest them, we can make sure people know that these are the ones who steal from pregnant women and the elderly,' he says.
How to avoid becoming a victim
A large part of their work is reminding sightseers to protect themselves. 'You wouldn't believe how many people do not pay attention,' he says. 'We're constantly telling them to zip up their bags and watch their belongings.'
He advises tourists take specific measures to keep their belongings safe, making sure to:
Always carry bags and backpacks in front and make sure all zippers are closed
Never put wallets or phones in a back pocket or an open jacket pocket
Not lean bags against clothing racks in shops
Never leave items in a dressing room when going to grab another size
Be discreet when taking out or putting away a wallet
Be careful when travelling with a suitcase and a bag, making sure both are being paid attention to
Never leave backpacks on a bench when sitting down to rest
Not leave items unattended at a table when picking up a restaurant order
How to spot a thief
Over time, the volunteers have quickly learned how to identify thieves through specific signs:
They always wear trainers for a quick getaway
Women often carry empty bags to store stolen items
They typically operate in pairs
They conceal their hand with a scarf or jacket when stealing
They frequently use disguises such as big sunglasses, wigs or head coverings
Some pose as shop attendants for easier access to areas like dressing rooms
They always blend in with their surroundings (i.e. wearing luxury clothing in high end shops)
They avoid eye contact
On public transport, they move in and out of train cars in search of their next target
Antonio goes on to explain their tactics, such as pushing against the victim in a crowded area while their accomplice slips a hand in their belongings.
They may also pretend to help the victim with a suitcase, leading them to let their guard down and become an easier target.
In other cases, one will distract an innocent passerby by posing as a charity fundraiser while the other steals from the victim.
A pickpocket disguised in a head covering and large sunglasses
A pickpocket disguised as a ZARA employee
A man using a scarf to hide his hand as he robs a tourist
Certain groups frequent specific metro lines and many belong to organised networks. They most often encounter thieves linked to Bulgarian, Bosnian and Romanian groups, although they also spot Chileans, Peruvians, Algerians and Moroccans.
A significant part of Patrulla Madrid's work is also investigative. The volunteers have built their own database of pickpockets and receive messages daily from the public.
'People will write to us with tips like 'the woman in your video goes to my gym' or 'that man lives in my neighbourhood,' Antonio says. 'With information like that we can build a fuller picture.'
Earlier this year, they identified more than 100 Bulgarian pickpockets who were operating in the city, leading to their names and faces appearing across the news in their home country.
Although they have no authority to make arrests, they stay in touch with shopkeepers, security guards and the police through a Telegram channel used to track sightings of suspects.
One of the security guards who now volunteers is Qadeer, a Pakistani immigrant working at a fast-food restaurant near the Atocha train station, one of the city's main hotspots.
A Patrulla Madrid member invited him to join after realising he was already chasing thieves on his own for what he jokingly describes as 'fun'.
'I came here as an immigrant and made an honest living,' he tells me. 'Meanwhile these people arrive in Madrid and make thousands a week by stealing. It's unfair and I try to stop tourists from becoming victims.'
Both he and Antonio say they face regular abuse from the thieves they follow.
'The pickpockets shout at me to go back to Morocco,' Qadeer laughs. 'I'm not even from Morocco.'
Antonio, who is gay, says the thieves sometimes refer to the group as 'Patrulla Marica', which translates to 'F***** Patrol', a reference to the number of gay volunteers.
The group is politically mixed as well. Antonio points to an elderly man on today's patrol who votes for Spain's far-right party VOX, while the group's only female volunteer, Johanna, votes for the far left.
'It's about mutual respect and a common goal,' Antonio tells me. 'We are proof that people with completely different views can work together for the good of our city.'
They are careful with new recruits however, and screen out anyone who appears to enjoy confrontation too much or tries to use the group as justification for targeting immigrants or women.
The group has helped police catch and prosecute pickpockets
Patrulla Madrid identified more than 100 Bulgarian pickpockets who were operating in the city
As Javier ushers Dona onto a train, he warns the passengers to guard their bags and phones.
'This woman is a pickpocket who regularly steals from the elderly. Remember her face,' he announces.
Earlier, I had tried to speak to Dona. The volunteers tell me she is Bulgarian, in her early twenties, and has a young child at home.
She refused to look at me or answer any questions.
Standing with Johanna afterwards, I ask whether she ever feels the group pushes things too far.
A group of mainly men chasing a woman with whistles can appear aggressive, and I wonder whether some of the thieves steal out of desperation.
Johanna says: 'As women, we are automatically too empathetic. I used to say to myself 'maybe they have children to feed or are stuck in abusive situations.' But then you remember who they target. Dona steals from pregnant and elderly women. They are the real victims, not her.'
Antonio adds that they have repeatedly offered help and information about resources to the female pickpockets they confront.
Antonio attempting to speak to Dona as we wait for the train
Antonio (left in green shirt) and Javier (right in blue and white shirt) enjoy a celebratory meal with two other members of Patrulla Madrid - Luis (in grey) and Angel (in a blue cap)
'They don't want help. They make far more money stealing than they would in any honest job,' he claims.
He says members of the public sometimes assume they are harassing innocent people, but as soon as they understand what is happening they become grateful, adding: 'We receive messages every day thanking us.'
The police appear to agree. As we return from the station two officers recognise Javier and stop to greet him. They speak to me on the condition of anonymity.
One explains that legal constraints prevent them from removing known pickpockets from the metro or monitoring them as proactively as the volunteers can.
They also lack the resources to follow up every theft.
'Patrulla Madrid has helped us identify suspects, faces, networks and nationalities,' the second officer says.
'We are unfortunately at a point where citizens must do what they can to protect themselves.'