[size=85:1gpiz7f0]Sofia echo Fri 26 Aug

Fagin it: pickpockets come to Bulgaria - while Bulgarian pickpockets travel abroad

:shocked1:In this life, one thing counts/ In the bank, large amounts/ I'm afraid these don't grow on trees, You've got to pick-a-pocket or two.

So sang Fagin in the musical Oliver, and according to Krassimir Lyubomirov, head of the street crimes directorate in the Bulgarian capital city Sofia, there is quite a circuit in the pickpocket trade, with practitioners coming to the city from Bulgaria's neighbouring countries, while in turn, Bulgarian pickpockets also try their hands abroad, touring Europe.

As quoted by local news agency Focus, Lyubomirov said that pickpockets had their methods for choosing their targets.

People who appeared inattentive or who had their bags open were favourite marks, he said.

Fagin: Dear old gent passing by/ Something nice takes his eye/ Everything's clear, attack the rear/ Get in and pick-a-pocket or two.

Lyubomirov said that in Bulgaria, most pickpockets were Roma women and girls.

Pickpockets, he said, were trained to steal from early childhood.

"
This 'handicraft' is handed from grandmothers to mothers, daughters-in-law and grand-daughters"
.