Businesses in Dublin are demanding a ‘unified strategy’ to combat a new pickpocketing gang targeting the city's tourist hotspots.
Gardaí are monitoring the gang which has been operating in some of Dublin’s most popular tourist destinations for the past month, the Daily Mail reports.
Sources told the paper that the gang is predominantly female and has come here from mainland Europe on EU passports.
The areas targeted by the gang include the likes of the Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar and Dublin Castle.
It is understood that Gardaí believe the gang is operating in several different countries across the EU.
Evading capture
Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and News Agents Association of Ireland said the pickpockets are “incredibly adept” at evading capture.
“We need good CCTV monitoring and Gardaí close by to assist security officers,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.
“This is a small group of people who can be identified. If you harass them and follow them to the point where it’s not worth their while, they will go away.
“We need a coordinated approach, and it’s encouraging to see that on the Luas and buses, people are being warned to be wary.”
He also noted that GDPR rules are hindering efforts to tackle the gang.
“We’re protecting criminals and professional claimants rather than protecting society,” he said.
“We’re forbidden from circulating images of people, their clothing, or their names.
"GDPR and defamation laws have curtailed this, but hopefully, changes to defamation laws will address this issue.”
Reporting system
Mr Jennings called for a more “streamlined system” for reporting thefts from shops.
“It shouldn’t always be the case that everyone has to call 999, which is now our instruction,” he said.
“You have to call 999 where reports are centrally coordinated and effectively colour-coded. I understand the term ‘petty crime,’ but it’s not petty if your business is on the line and this is happening 10 or 15 times a day.
“It severely impacts your ability to continue providing a service.”
Mr Jennings also added that more civilian personnel are needed within An Garda Síochána to process paperwork, which would free up Gardaí for frontline duties.
Main image: A pickpocket steals a wallet. Image: Alessandro de Leo / Alamy Stock Photo
