Pickpockets

[happydaze777]

Wow Old School your wife really is a hero, great story pal!

Maybe its just me, city boy (Manchester born and mostly bred) but I never feel as safe as I do wondering around Amsterdam. There are areas of Manchester I would only enter, unless I was willing to take my life into my own hands and as for the city centre on a Friday or Saturday night, well unless you are a fighter, forget it!

Amsterdam is sooo different. Sure there is crime, but the crimes are less obvious (IMO) and not as violent. Only once in all my years of visiting Amsterdam have I ever felt uncomfortable enough to fell unsafe.

Its all about 'attitude' I think. You know who I'm talking about, we’ve all seen them, people with VICTIM written all over them. I have this belief that as long as you look as if you know where you are going and what you are up to (even if horribly lost and utterly fuked) you stand a much better chance on the streets of ANY capital city, than if you look all lost and fuked up... If you know what I'm getting at...

Ban booze on the British high street and introduce coffeeshops, watch the weekend no go zones disappear and the local crime rate drop.

As for pickpockets, I have made an extra 'inside' pocket for my passport, credit card and BIG cash. Needle and thread, old sturdy sock, on the inside of my jeans pockets... Let them find my cash!!!

[Old School Smoker]

Wow Old School your wife really is a hero, great story pal!

Maybe its just me, city boy (Manchester born and mostly bred) but I never feel as safe as I do wondering around Amsterdam. There are areas of Manchester I would only enter, unless I was willing to take my life into my own hands and as for the city centre on a Friday or Saturday night, well unless you are a fighter, forget it!

Amsterdam is sooo different. Sure there is crime, but the crimes are less obvious (IMO) and not as violent. Only once in all my years of visiting Amsterdam have I ever felt uncomfortable enough to fell unsafe.

Its all about 'attitude' I think. You know who I'm talking about, we’ve all seen them, people with VICTIM written all over them. I have this belief that as long as you look as if you know where you are going and what you are up to (even if horribly lost and utterly fuked) you stand a much better chance on the streets of ANY capital city, than if you look all lost and fuked up... If you know what I'm getting at...

Ban booze on the British high street and introduce coffeeshops, watch the weekend no go zones disappear and the local crime rate drop.

As for pickpockets, I have made an extra 'inside' pocket for my passport, credit card and BIG cash. Needle and thread, old sturdy sock, on the inside of my jeans pockets... Let them find my cash!!!

I think you have it spot on there my friend. Its all about not looking like a victim, I have travelled around many capital citys throughout the world including one or two in South America that have really made me feel uneasy in certain aereas! The trick is to walk like you know were you are going (even if you havn't a clue!) and look like you know what you are doing (even if you don't!)

As for our incident in Amsterdam, I'll be honest the old couple didn't fit what I would call the 'victim profile' I just think it was a crime of oppotunity.
By the way the wife reads this forum and wants to put on record that she doesn't concider herself a hero in any way.
She has said the reason she went after him was it made her so mad that this 'piece of shit' as she called him had 1) dared to rob an old lady and 2) that old lady was a visitor to her country and should have the right to walk the streets in peace.
However shortly after the incident she did admit that when the guy pulled the knife on her she had to make a slit second choice... Break his arm or his neck! but decided that no one deserves to lose their life over a hand bag!
I don't care what she says, anyone who can think like that under that level of pressure is a hero in my book!

[evergrey1968]

I have this belief that as long as you look as if you know where you are going and what you are up to (even if horribly lost and utterly fuked) you stand a much better chance on the streets of ANY capital city, than if you look all lost and fuked up.

Spot on !

[echc1]

little bastards need to be taught a lesson.....found extra fingers in the pocket of my crombie/doormans coat the other year as i started to cross Damrak,....simples i snapped said fingers and gave a headbutt for good measure........pain is always a good deterrent for these parasites....1 on 1 is no prob but watch out for the group of their buddies....as some work in groups (like in london).........but i still feel amsterdam is a lot safer than most cities

[Pauli Wallnuts]

Ive heard of someone being looted & then handed back an empty wallet,Dono if its the truth but i wouldnt like to find out personaly.

yea any pickpocket will discard the wallet/bag/purse instantly, nothing illegal with carrying cash but get caught with evidence & your heading down the cop shop

[Kingdoc]

little bastards need to be taught a lesson.....found extra fingers in the pocket of my crombie/doormans coat the other year as i started to cross Damrak,....simples i snapped said fingers and gave a headbutt for good measure........pain is always a good deterrent for these parasites....1 on 1 is no prob but watch out for the group of their buddies....as some work in groups (like in london).........but i still feel amsterdam is a lot safer than most cities

A guy i know from blackpool chinned a goblin a few years back,Its was just outside the man-ken-piss outlet on damrak! needless to say the goblin was shouting for his mates,& pauli! speak of the devil as my brother "lost" his wallet @ the supermarket on saturday,Cut a long story short he was 60 pounds lighter by the time he left,He doesnt know if it was a pickpocket or he actualy dropped the wallet! chances are he will never know.