Millions of kronor stolen from Swedish tourists – Olympics a Mecca for pickpockets

Every year Swedish tourists are victims of theft amounting to millions of kronor. Cases where tourists were insured by ERV alone amounted to more than SEK 2.5 million in 2011. The pickpockets’ new favourite target among holidaymakers is the iPhone. Major sporting events like the current Summer Olympics in London are a gold mine for bag snatchers, pickpockets and others who make a living from cheating tourists.

“It’s important that anyone visiting the Olympics is extra vigilant, as having a lot of people in one place are ideal conditions for thieves. The thieves are often well-organised and are experts at diverting your attention. Typically the thieves target cash, mobile phones, expensive watches and computers,” says Christina Karlegran, Head of Group Communication at ERV.

ERV, a leader in Sweden for single trip travel insurance, has been studying the statistics for holiday thefts in recent years. The items that have risen in popularity among thieves are iPhones and other expensive smartphones which we increasingly take with us on holiday.

Pickpocketing

The most common method:
Pickpockets usually work in pairs and select a target. One of them distracts the target by asking for directions or a light, while the other takes items from the insured victim’s pockets.
Place: By far the majority of pickpocket crimes reported to ERV take place on busy streets with lots of people jostling about, on metro systems or on the way to or from airports.
Advice: Use a small bag on a cord round your neck and wear it under your clothes. Avoid carrying around too many valuables when you know you will be in crowded places.

Theft

The most common method:
A person having a coffee in a café often puts their bag by their feet under the table (out of their direct line of sight). When the insured tourist gets up to leave, their bag and its contents are gone. This can happen if you’re by yourself or with several friends or colleagues.
Place: The vast majority of thefts reported to ERV take place in cafés, restaurants and airports.
Advice: Put bags where you can see them, be vigilant with your things – particularly if a stranger wants your attention.

Bag snatching

The most common method: Two men approach and the victim is alone. Men are most commonly the targets, often with a weapon threat. The thieves target victims with expensive bags or laptop bags. Place: These crimes generally take place in poorly lit streets, or quiet streets with not many people around. Advice: If you carry items that are attractive to thieves, such as expensive smartphones, cameras or watches, avoid streets with not many people, particularly in the evening and at night.

What thieves steal from tourists (based on statistics from ERV):

1. Cash

2. Mobile phones

3. Watches

4. Gold/jewellery

5. Cameras

6. Computers