In Greece at the moment where the news is that the police have just arrested 31 members of a pick pocket gang who have been working the airport metro for the last ten years. Another 18 are missing and being sought. Apparent they were responsible for 15 thefts a day targeted at tourists and old people.
Hopefully this will make it a bit easier for all of us- and especially those of us who are both tourists and old!
Cheers
Alan
We were there two years ago and noticed the pickpockets in the airport and then on the train to Athens. To us they were obvious, but we were looking for them (not everyone is super-diligent). Good to know the police are cracking down. Still, we'll be diligent next summer during our next trip to Greece.
Alan, the report in was in The Guardian, a reputable news source, not a tabloid rag, thank heaven. I was interested to note that the Police reported that most of the gang members arrested - including a woman who was reportedly the leader, were from Albania, as are those still being sought. One Greek was arrested - a ex- Police officer involved in providing protection.
This situation echoes news about about 6 years ago, when 70 gang members were arrested for pickpocketing focussed on the Green line (to Piraeus); 69 were Albanian, one was a transit worker.
Since 2000, Greece has been struggling with the situation of illegal Albanians ... supposedly nearly a million are in the country, the vast majority in or near the 2 major-metropolitan areas of Athens or Thessaloniki. When u consider than the total GREEK population is only a little over 11 million, you can imagine the challenges this creates. Proportionately, the US has waay less to cope with!
Janet
Thanks for the extra detail. I normally read the Guardian in the UK but it’s not so easy to get here in Andros! I’d missed the point about the ex police officer. Not surprising I suppose.
Cheers
Alan
