Ever had your pocket picked? It's a crime that's on the rise, up by 20 per cent in the last year alone. I should know — for 25 years before I went straight I was a full-time thief, specializing in picking pockets. Where I come from in southeast London that's an honorable profession. All the "faces" on my estate had long family histories of picking pockets and they commanded respect. Anyone can steal a car or break into an old lady's house, but "dipping" takes training, skill and alertness. For 20 years my sister and I were among the most successful pickpocket(扒手) teams in London and the south of England. There are many mistaken beliefs about my former trade, so here are some tips if you want to protect yourself: Having said that, my favorite target was the single female, handbag hanging by her side-the right side, to be exact, so if I'm next to her I can reach it secretly with my right hand across my body. Only about one woman in a thousand carries her bag on the left and I tended to steer clear of them. It's a bit like driving on the opposite side of the road — I could probably do it, but why would I want to try? Most pickpockets also work with a partner, nearly always a woman. She stands next to the victim examining whatever goods are in front of her. The timing is crucial because, as I move in, my partner must casually take a half step closer to the target and move her left hand (the one nearest to the victim) so that her elbow sticks out above the handbag — blocking it from the victim's view, security cameras or store detectives. As far as men are concerned, one of the best places you can keep a wallet is in your back pocket, particularly if you're wearing tight trousers. I know it's behind you and out of sight, but if it's up against your behind you'll feel any attempts to move it. Another good place is in the zipped-up inside pocket of a leather jacket. There's just no way in, unlike a loose-hanging suit-style jacket. If I could design the perfect setting to go to work in, it would be a clothing store. The layout has just the right proportions to afford maximum cover for me, and there's a constant turnover of customers moving among the racks and shelves, completely focused as they hold up items to look at them. The presence of a security guard is even better. A false sense of security makes a pickpocket's job so much simpler. My right hand came up in one continuous movement under my left arm. Then the peak of the dip, when the same two fingers first make contact with the cold weight of the wallet. All good pickpockets strengthen their two working fingers by putting elastic bands round them and opening them. You can get the two fingers strong enough to lift a brick. When it hit the bottom of the bag, it was like a bomb going off. I turned to run, but two store detectives and a security guard had closed all escape routes. I tended not to look at faces when I was out working, perhaps because it made things too personal. But thanks to the victim-awareness courses I've attended, I see the people behind the possessions now. Words:1,007
The Confession of a Pickpocket 中英文对照课文讲解
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