How to protect yourself against theft

Whether you’re on the tram, out shopping or out and about in town: a brief moment of inattention is all it takes for your wallet or smartphone to go missing. Thieves deliberately exploit distractions and close proximity, particularly in crowded places. You can protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions.

• Always keep your bags closed: Carry handbags and shoulder bags closed and close to your body wherever possible. Make sure all zips are fastened – even if you’re only out for a short while.
• Carry your rucksack at the front in crowded places: particularly on trams, buses or in busy areas, you should carry your rucksack at the front of your body wherever possible. Do not store your wallet, smartphone or other valuables in the outer pockets, but in an inner compartment close to your body.  
• Keep your wallet safe: Do not carry your wallet in a visible back trouser pocket. It is safer to use a front trouser pocket, a zipped inside pocket or a bum bag. Also, only carry as much cash and as many cards as you actually need. 
• Be careful with bags on your walking frame: Do not leave your handbag or wallet exposed in the basket of your walking frame. You should carry valuables as close to your body as possible. A chest wallet or a zipped inside pocket offers additional protection.
• Be particularly vigilant in crowds: Pickpockets often use distractions: someone might bump into you, speak to you out of the blue or come conspicuously close to you. In such situations, pay particular attention to your valuables and, if possible, create some distance.
• Keep your keys separate: Do not keep your house keys together with identity documents that show your address. If your wallet and keys are stolen together, the thieves may also know where the keys can be used.
• Take only the essentials with you: The fewer valuables you carry with you, the less you stand to lose. Before you go out, think about which cards, documents and amounts of cash you really need.