Hi all,

I quickly want to share my experience here so you watch out your bags with extra care

Monday 15 oct i and a friend of mine went to D-vino wienbar off bahnhofstrasse.
We found 2 seats free next to 2 women on one of the high tables. I hanged my handbag under the table next to my knees. About an hour later the 2 women next to us got up and left. Within 2 min i noticed my bag was nowhere to be seen.

When i screamed in panic the manager came and told that this normal that this happens regularly in this weinbar and in the city center.
I was amazed that he was so blaze about it all and blaiming me for not watching my bag at all times.

Last few days have been very painful. The police says that these incidents are very common.
I read so many similar stories in this forum in the past and i was very careful but with very pro thiefs you almost have no chance.

I m straggling to understand why swiss authorities seem to let this problem increasingly get worse?

Fezza

And what, exactly, should they do about it?

There is nothing very constructive that I can say... Assume the worst and watch your bag...

I dislike those hooks..

I was really surprised when i moved here first that people actually used them!

Id hang my jacket but nevere my handbag... 9 times outta 10 there is too much of me in it

I hope they didnt get too much from you although i know the real hardship is cancling cards and phone contracts etc..

Good luck

Next time, keep one of these in your bag, and use it when you're at a table - right in front of you.

I once was robbed of my purse with everything in. The same day, I changed all the locks in my home as they had my keys and address.

I was right.

One month later, they tried to break into my home.

Father in law got pick-pocketed on Monday at the HB.

I've noticed a few more beggars around lately too...

OMG, how awful for you having people trying to break in!!

What a violation!

As usual, there will be more the closer the season to "give" approaches

Yeah, but I was clever than them!

You can expect someone who stole your walket and keys to do something now knowing where you live with a welcome greeting gift key included.

Or maybe it was due to the 'cleaver' you had in your handbag
(no offence intended)

Sorry to hear that. Switzerland has sadly become rather full of petty thieves the stations and trains are especially bad. Problem is the reaction of your hosts or the train controller in my case. "happens all the time.". Thanks a bunch. Why don't you bl**dy warn them then instead of pretending Switzerland is [still] perfect?

To be fair i dont think Switz is that bad!!

As the police said to me, after I'd had my bag pinched on the train between Geneva airport and Lausanne - 'Just stop feeling you're safe in Switzerland bacause you're now no safer than you would be in any other European country'.

Well since Monday almost everybody i spoke to either experienced or knew someone that been pickpocketed in the past year in CH.

I guess that's what the thieves are hoping everyone believes as well

G! Same day as me then far too many incidences happening for police not to change their strategy.

Thanks! I now won't do that mistake again!

Well, many things can be done.

- more cctv cameras. Announcements, leaflets, signs posted in public places, plain police in the city centre and banning the repeat offenders coming back into the country or even sending them back!
The problem i see is CH is in denail and security services and shop bar managers thinking this is acceptable.
The bar manager that my bag got stolen said on avarege 30 a week only in that bar stealing happens yet there were no cameras or warning signs anywhere.

Your English is a whole lot better than my French will ever be.