Amsterdam police warns of pickpockets at EuroPride

The Amsterdam police are warning people attending EuroPride parties in the coming weeks to keep an eye out for pickpockets. Together with the Amsterdam municipality, the police launched a campaign to give party goers tips on how to make sure they go home with all their belongings. "Pickpockets are often active at events if it is nice and crowded in the city. People stand close together", commissioner Chris Koers said. "The ideal situation for a pickpocket is to strike unnoticed and get away unseen." The Amsterdam police and municipality are making battling pickpockets a priority during EuroPride. Attendees are advised to keep their phones and wallets somewhere secure, and not for example, stuffed into your back pocket. Also keep bags and backpacks in front of you, where you can see someone fiddling with it. Make sure you know your phone's IMEI number and login details. The police will need these details to track and identify your phone should you fall victim to a pickpocket. These details will only be used to track and identify the phone, after which the police will immediately delete the information. Finally, should your phone be stolen or lost, report it to the police immediately. You can call emergency number 112 with a friend's phone, or speak to a police officer on the street. A special team for tracking stolen and lost phones will be active throughout the EuroPride festivities. The police also paid a visit to 20 addresses where people previously convicted of pickpocketing live. They were warned not to try their luck during EuroPride.