Authorities Crack Down on Pickpocketing Spree at European Tourist Hotspots

① Paris, France, Preparation for the Olympics

French authorities have announced plans to strengthen security before next year’s Olympics. The 33rd Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024. There is high anticipation as this will be the first Summer Olympics held in Paris since 1924, a hundred years ago. Preparations are in full swing with the Olympics in mind.

Paris, France, is a notorious European travel destination for pickpocketing and theft.

Pickpocketing targeting tourists frequently occurs, and it’s common to hear from travelers who have been victims of pickpocketing while visiting Paris. Based on last year’s data, pickpocketing in Paris increased by 14% compared to the previous year, home burglaries increased by 11%, and car thefts by 9%.

The Paris police have taken drastic measures to strengthen security.

They have announced plans to intensify crackdowns on pickpocketing at major tourist sites and install 400 surveillance cameras around the Seine River. There was controversy over installing CCTV cameras, which could infringe on personal privacy. However, the decision was made to install the CCTV cameras for safety over privacy concerns.

The French Parliament has finally approved a bill allowing the experimental use of a large-scale real-time camera system to ensure the Olympics can be held securely.

They also announced plans to operate cameras that can detect abnormal behavior using artificial intelligence. However, there was considerable opposition to the AI-led mass surveillance.

Some are skeptical about whether strengthening crackdowns will effectively enhance security.

② Public Warning Against Pickpocketing

Since December last year, a Korean-language broadcast warning against pickpocketing has started airing in subway stations in Paris, France. The broadcast can be heard in Korean on the Line 1 train and at subway stations near major attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. It is also broadcasted at subway stations near six major attractions, including the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre Museum, Châtelet, Sacré-Cœur, Trocadéro, and the Eiffel Tower.

The Korean Embassy in France has agreed with the Paris Metro to add Korean-language broadcasts during the summer and winter holidays. The broadcasts were recorded by a Korean man and woman and are played last, following broadcasts in French, English, and German on the train and at the station. The Paris Metro has conducted foreign language broadcasts based on the statistics of foreign tourist visits. There have been broadcasts in Japanese and Chinese, but this is the first time for a Korean broadcast.

The Korean Embassy requested the broadcast, citing frequent pickpocketing incidents targeting Korean tourists. They also emphasized that the number of Korean tourists has significantly increased after COVID-19.

The Korean ambassador to France, Yoo Yeon-chul, stated, “During this summer’s vacation season, we received over 20 reports of pickpocketing incidents per week,” adding, “There are likely many more cases that have not been reported to the embassy.”

Upon hearing of the Korean broadcasts in Paris, netizens in Korea reacted with comments like, “There must be various reasons for broadcasting in Korean in Paris, but it’s impressive,” and “It’s hard to travel when you have to worry about pickpocketing and endure racial discrimination,” and “There are too many pickpocketing incidents. It’s heartbreaking.”

③ Frequent Incidents Involving Tourists

In July, a Korean tourist in Paris, France, was robbed by a masked robber who stole their bag. The incident occurred in front of a hotel near Charles de Gaulle Airport when four Korean tourists were getting off a bus and collecting their luggage. During the incident, the tourists suffered minor bruises and abrasions.
At the time, there were dozens of Koreans on the bus.

2017, a group of Korean tourists also fell victim to a robbery. About 40 Korean tourists were on a bus returning to their accommodation. Then, 3-4 black men forcibly opened the bus door and threatened the Korean tourists. They ran off with money, passports, and train tickets. Such theft incidents targeting group tourists have caused shock.

Common incidents include having your cell phone snatched out of your hand just before the doors close when you’re on public transport or someone offering to take a picture and then running off with your phone. There have also been cases where the windows of taxis were broken, and passengers were threatened with giving up their belongings. People have also been pickpocketed while being asked to sign a campaign on the street. If you plan a trip to Paris, France, you should always be cautious.

By. Kim Minjae