The techniques behind picking pockets


Picking pockets is an art form.  While those who do the job of picking pockets are required to have nimble fingers, it takes more than just nimble fingers to pry the valuables from a mark, the mark being the person who is the object of a pickpocket’s supposedly nefarious activity.  Picking pockets successfully involves cunning and subtlety.

There are many techniques out there that are employed in picking pockets.  Each of these techniques, however, makes use of two basic principles.  The first principle involves channelling the attention of the mark somewhere else.  The second principle has the pickpocket, or most likely his accomplice, applying a small amount of force to the mark that will disorient the mark.  These two are necessary so the mark would not notice the act of picking pockets being done on him.

Given that there are two basic principles to picking pockets, there are many techniques that make use of them.  A technique itself has many variations, but here are the ones that are considered most common among them.

  • Sexuality.  This is a technique used mostly by women in the business of picking pockets or males with women as accomplices.  What the woman does is to rub her rump, her hip or her breast against a male mark.  Or, if the situation warrants it, the woman would lean over to allow a glimpse of her exposed cleavage or bottom for the mark to ogle at.  This provides the diversion that the pickpocket needs to get on with the deed.
  • Bumping and jostling.  A classic among those who trade in picking pockets, the pickpocket bumps a mark.  The bump distracts the mark from noticing the tool (slang for pickpocket) picking pockets with him before the two of them part ways.
  • Oops!  This is a my-bad moment contrived by the tool to distract the mark.  It could be catsup or mustard squirted on the mark’s shirt or a drink spilled on his person.  While the mark is preoccupied with wiping the stain off his clothes with the aid of the pickpocket himself or an accomplice, the pickpocket will nimbly pry away the valuables from its owner.
  • Helpfulness.  An unwitting tourist or foreigner, or perhaps a frail and elderly person, will most of the time appear lost and needing help in finding their way.  A pickpocket may approach this type of mark and appear to be helping him, all the while picking the pockets of his prey.
  • Pity me, please!  The typical behaviour of a person on the street when coming into contact with a disabled person or a person wearing a sling or using crutches is to avoid eye contact and look away.  The pickpocket who acts like he is disabled can take advantage of this temporary distraction to go ahead with picking pockets.
  • Acting.  Is the drunk and overly friendly person who just slung his shoulder around you really drunk, or is he picking pockets with your coat, purse or pants?  Is that well-dressed gentleman who had a little chat with you about politics and business while waiting for the train and later on shook your hand before taking off really what he appears to be?  Where then is your watch?
  • Surprise!  A tool who uses surprise techniques would use tactics like accidentally knocking a mark’s hat or glasses off him and pries the loot from him while pretending to apologize.  He could also have an accomplice throw something at the mark and then using the moment of distraction to claim his prize.

A comedy pickpocket may use other techniques that are aimed at hilarity rather than actually stealing from his mark.  But a comedy pickpocket would know nonetheless that these are the techniques that a professional criminal would do in picking pockets.

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