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Beware of pickpockets

The pinchers of purses, wallets and valuables trained by modern day Fagins, find it easier and more productive to practice their sleight of hand during the rush hours under the cover of the hustle and bustle of people eager to get on to a bus or out of one.

A local daily recently reported on the case of a pickpocket who was detected by a fellow passenger in the act of relieving an old gentleman of his wallet at the Bur Dubai Bus Station. He raised an alarm but the thief managed to make a getaway.

Pickpocketing is rampant at crowded bus stations, particularly in Bur Dubai and the Gold Souq under the nose of security personnel. It is high time that officers of the public transport authority organise the boarding procedure by asking passengers to line up in an orderly fashion in a bid to safeguard them from these gifted 'fingersmiths' so adept at their trade.

Who are these pickpockets? And from where do they come from? Most of burglars, thieves, pickpockets and shoplifters are expatriates, who came to the country on visit visas.

They might have developed their criminal skills in their home countries. In the past and even today, the interior ministry never allow convicts with police records to leave their respective countries lest they should tarnish their image, and bring a bad name to them.

The authorities here have nothing to do with that matter, the onus is on the countries exporting their manpower. The ends of justice should be met within the purview of the law.

• UAE