For a year, pickpockets had deserted the Paris metro, much less frequented because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the latter seem to be making a comeback.
They went after the wrong person. This Friday, a police commander who works in the Aisne had his wallet stolen by a gang of pickpockets in the Paris metro, reveals The Parisian. The latter, helped by his colleagues, managed to identify them and questioned them a few hours later.
The facts took place around 2:30 p.m. at the Gare de l’Est. The police quickly noticed that two withdrawals of 500 euros had been made from his bank account and from his credit card. Immediately, he warns his colleagues. Relying on CCTV footage, they manage to identify those responsible. A few hours later, the latter were arrested and taken to the premises of the 18th arrondissement brigade.
The same morning, it was a 57-year-old Dutch woman who had her wallet stolen from the Luxembourg RER station by another group of individuals, the daily continues.
An increase in thefts
For a year, pickpockets had deserted the Paris metro, much less frequented because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Apparently, they come back, always acting by cunning and without ever showing any violence,” a specialist police officer told the daily.
Often from Eastern Europe, these pickpockets are often minors enslaved by a few adults who force them to steal. Asked by the Parisian, the RATP affirms that it is doing everything possible to curb this phenomenon.
“We have 1,000 agents from the network protection and security group (GPSR) who reinforce the police in their actions and 50,000 video surveillance cameras. In addition, our 5,300 agents of the management are all trained in the problems and regularly put warns travelers when a risk arises “.
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