Be vigilant If you suspect a pickpocket is following you, stop what you are doing and go in a different direction. Enter the nearest shop for a few minutes to collect yourself. A pickpocket will lose interest if they suspect you are onto them.

Don’t look like a tourist Pickpockets love tourists because they often carry lumps of cash and are not paying attention. So avoid looking like you are lost or don’t know where you are going.

Travel light Leave your fancy bling and valuables in your hotel room or at home. Expensive gear, such as your laptop and iPad, are much safer in your room than with you in a bag on the streets.

Don’t wear clothes that make you stand out Top end clothes, expensive jewellery or watches are just an advertisement for a pickpocket.

Don’t advertise If you have to travel with your valuables, for the most part make sure you keep them out of sight. Constantly stopping to take money out of your wallet will only advertise to a pickpocket the location of your valuables.

Secure your bag Thieves want to quickly and unobtrusively separate you from your valuables, so even a minor obstacle can be an effective deterrent. If you’re sitting down to eat or rest, loop the strap from your bag around your arm, leg, or chair leg.

Keep the bare minimum in your wallet If you are pickpocketed it will be less hassle if you only have one card stolen and a small amount of cash. Keep a backup credit card somewhere secure, like a hotel safe.

Be alert and assertive Be aware of the helpful stranger or a group of kids that surround you. Know the tactics that are used, pickpockets are experts in making conversation in order to distract you.

Hide it Don’t keep important things in ANY outside pockets in your suitcase, jacket, or purse. If you give pickpockets easy access to something, make sure it’s not worth taking. Use inside pockets of jackets and purses that have a zip and/or button to hold important documents, and take advantage of clothing layers to keep your documents buried as much as possible.

Keep it in sight Swing any backpacks around to the front of your body and put your arms through the straps to keep your hands free. This will help you to keep an eye on your valuables. While eating keep your bags between your feet. Don’t place them by or hang them on the back of your chair. Always make sure you are in physical contact with your bags.

Cash machines When you are using a cash machine, make sure you use one that is well lit, at a reputable building society or bank and not down some dark deserted alley. If the cash machine sucks in your card and does not give it back, go into or contact the building society or bank IMMEDIATELY!

Secure your valuables in a front pocket or in a money belt You may think they’re not cool but money belts are a low-cost way of holding onto your cash. While these can still be stolen, they’re much safer than keeping your wallet in your back pocket. They’re large enough to carry your cash and cards and discreet enough so not at attract any undue attention.

Secure your backpack Backpacks aren’t great as they can make you look like a tourist and they are a pickpocket’s friend. But if you have to travel with one don’t keep valuables in them, put locks on your zippers and don’t put anything in the back pocket, as you won’t feel it being stolen.

Insure your belongings One of the best things you can do for peace of mind is to insure your possessions.