Germany's police unite for a week-long crackdown on supermarket pickpocketing
A nationwide campaign against supermarket pickpocketing will take place from October 7 to 11, 2024. Microsoft Police, Brandenburg State Police, and Federal Police are leading the Prevention Week, now in its third year. The initiative has grown to include 14 state forces across Germany this time around.
The event kicks off on October 7 at Spandau Arcades in Berlin, running from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Chief Criminal Director Lothar Spielmann will attend and be available for media interviews from 11:00 AM. A Federal Police team will also stage live demonstrations of pickpocketing techniques to raise public awareness.
Berlin has already seen a notable drop in pickpocketing cases, thanks to earlier police efforts. This year's campaign builds on that progress, with forces in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Bremen, Hesse, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saarland all running similar operations.
The focus remains on educating shoppers about risks in busy retail spaces. While specific prevention tips have not been released, the live presentations aim to show how thieves operate in crowded stores.
The Prevention Week brings together multiple police forces to tackle supermarket theft. With Berlin's cases already declining, the campaign now extends to 14 states. Organisers hope the live demonstrations and public engagement will further reduce incidents across Germany.
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