In a crowd or anywhere, how do you safeguard yourself from pickpockets/robbers?

Hi Jpso, That is true. In our place, there are areas which are known to be havens of pickpockets, robbers and other criminal elements. If situations bring us to these places, we should always be cautious of things and people around us. Or staying away from these places is safer. Thanks.

Hi Madteaparty, Was reviewing the discussions that I started and tempted to comment on the "funny" thing. It happened to me, too. We wrote at just about the same time and in exact words! Funny because we didn't have the opportunity to read each other's comments as action was simultaneous.

I find extremely funny that we were both writting the same first sentence at the same time without knowing

Hi Teamrose, I agree with all that you are saying. Sometimes people fall prey to pickpockets or robbers because of their own doing. Some knowingly or unknowingly expose their purse or money in public. You should not lose grip of your purse all the time and not open it just anywhere. Refraining from havens of criminals is a lot safer than visiting these areas.

Hi Meapas, Pickpockets and robbers are very observant. They take notice where we place our money and they always have every technique to get it. It is best to counteract these robbers with our own ways of safeguarding ourselves. What you do is a very good idea. Pickpockets always happen in crowded places and in public transportations. We should be wary of our surroundings and people's movements around us all the time.

Hi Dorannmwin, That is surely one wise idea. Putting money inside the bra would be the safest thing to do. I often saw this thing from my old folks. I used to go to the city with my grandmother in the past. I always noticed that upon paying for something, she took the purse from inside her chemise (undershirt). She had the purse pinned to her bra. But unlike you, she just didn't mind if people watched her as she got her purse from her bra. hahahaha

Hi MrKennedy, It is always better to have zippers on our jackets or pants. Pickpockets will have a hard time opening it and so does with jackets with buttons. But in our place, these pickpockets no longer need to unzip things. They just slash your bags or pockets using very sharp blades. The next time you notice, you disembark from the jeepney with holes in the bag or your pockets.

Hi Cher, Yes that is true. Robbers and pickpockets are updating their "skills" from time to time. With the long straps of your bag, you should always hold on the bag even if this is worn across your body. What I do if I carry shoulder bags is to hold on to my bag all the time and place it in front of me, never hanging it on my side.

Hi Bellis, Having keys readied does not waste time for us to look for them. Some incidents of robberies happen in car parks just as people are about to open their cars. Taking time to look into our bags for the keys allow these robbers to pull their acts. That is why some people here have remote control keys installed in their cars. I also notice some people having special zipped compartments in their belts for their bills. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Survajar, You have a good way to safeguard yourself from pickpockets. I do that at times, too when I decide not to bring any handbag. I put my money separately in different pockets or in my shoes, so that in case I become victim (which I am not ever praying) of pickpockets, I still have money to bring me home. A lot of guys here carry handbags, backpacks, or shoulder bags with them.

Hi Bingchen, Good idea there. It is always good to put money and valuables in a safe place. What I do when I go out, I do not put all my money in one place. I separate them in different pockets, purse or bag's pockets. That way, I still have some money in case I become victim to pickpockets. It is a good thing to stay away from persons you are suspicious of.

Hi Hazeldesosa, That is a good idea. People should not, in any way, "show" that they have valuables with them while walking. Here, there are places which are known to be havens of pickpockets and robbers. Their attention is easily driven to people who "exhibit" (purposely or unknowingly), things which are the objects of the robbers' eye. These items are usually cellphones, purses, wallets, branded sunglasses, etc.

Hi Madteaparty, Lol, I noticed that, too. You were starting with the same sentence in just a few minutes difference. We are getting used to where we live. And we surely know that these things are going on in the area. What you do is one good thing --- being cautious with our surroundings all the time when going out. We should observe people's movements and check if someone is following us or attempting to waylay us.

Hi Bianca, Good idea. Sometimes cellphones endanger our lives. They attract pickpockets. If I should go to crowded places, what I do is to tuck my cellphone on my waist. It is too tight there that you will really notice if someone touches it. We should always be alert with what is going on in the surroundings.

Hi Rlcauilan, Good idea. It would be better to place them inside the FRONT pockets. If your jeans, pants or skirts are tight, you will easily notice if somebody's hands, and not yours (lol), are there. Some expert pickpockets still manage to pick from tight pockets. Being alert and careful are important.

Hi Wickedlove, You have "installed" good security measures for yourself! Bigger bags really attract these robbers' attention most especially those shoulder and hand bags. And, in our place, these pickpockets have "metamorphosed" into experts and professionals in their own trade. A daughter's classmate cried because she lost a big amount of money and all important IDs inside her wallet when a seatmate succeeded in slashing her bag without the slightest hint while the robber undertook it. She noticed about it after she disembarked from the jeepney. When I was younger, we were often amused seeing old women taking money (wrapped in handkerchief) pinned from inside their undershirt. That precautionary measure practiced by the old women in the past is now worth taking into mind considering the present level of criminality here.