• booly@sh.itjust.works
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    20 hours ago

    America used to have plenty of pickpocketing, but it’s pretty much gone away for a few reasons:

    • Pickpocket apprenticeships have fallen by the wayside, and the actual skills to be able to pull this off are no longer taught to young people.
    • The rise of cashless payment norms reduce the reward for a successful pickpocket: canceled credit cards won’t do anything for anyone.
    • America is a violent place, and it’s easier to steal with violence or the threat of violence.
    • Other types of sneaky nonviolent theft have arisen, and things like identity theft or hacking or other fraud is an alternative outlet for those who might want to non-violently steal someone else’s money.

    All this will likely happen in Europe, as well. Just maybe a slower transition in the pockets where cash is still common (tourist destinations with international travelers).

    • iridebikes@lemmy.world
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      16 hours ago

      Last bullet especially. Smash n grab is way too easy for criminals to pull off. Why risk confrontation when they can just snatch it from the car?