Hong Kong and Macau - Pickpocket victim from Hong Kong

This is my first post

I am a Hong Kong citizen but now living in New Zealand,I recently visited Hong Kong for four weeks and on the second week I was pickpocketed at Hung Hom Railway Station at where the Taxis go,beware that these pickpockets usually target phones or wallets even Iphones.If you do report it to the Police all they will do is give you a report if you need to deactivate the sim card.Regarding Pickpockets,they're now a growing problem in the Hong Kong railway network.Also the pickpockets are now both genders and they can be people from the Mainland as well.I have heard of stories as Pickpockets disguised as tourists from friends who live in Hong Kong,one of them told me some of them hit you on purpose and then by the time they say 'sorry' you realise they have taken something

So Hong Kong is no different from anywhere else in the world really. No big surprise is it?

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just released on DVD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZlzFOljvYo&feature=related

Check out "Sparrow"
just released on DVD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZlzFOljvYo&feature=related

Meh, at least you're not in China. You can find videos on YouTube of thieves using chopsticks to fish stuff out of people's pockets. All the people walking the other way see what the guy's trying to do but nobody says anything.

Mr_Alex, sorry to hear about you being pickpocketed, but welcome to Flyertalk! It is good to share this information, thanks.

another thing to consider,the shenzhen border is due to be pulled down and its also a agenda of the government in China which means pickpocketing willbe much worse

another thing to consider,the shenzhen border is due to be pulled down and its also a agenda of the government in China which means pickpocketing willbe much worse

Can you elaborate? Link?

Unfortunately, the flood of people from mainland China has meant that HK is no longer as safe as it once was... a sad fact, but true.

Unfortunately, the flood of people from mainland China has meant that HK is no longer as safe as it once was... a sad fact, but true.

...thieves using chopsticks to fish stuff out of people's pockets.

No, no, no, I've got nothing to do with that, wasn't me! :)

On the subject, Hong Kong's got its fair share of pickpockets but it's still one of the safest places around generally speaking.

another thing to consider,the shenzhen border is due to be pulled down

Sorry? Apologies in advance but that post really says a lot about what you know about Hong Kong these days. There is absolutely no plan whatsoever to get rid of that border anytime soon.

Unfortunately, the flood of people from mainland China has meant that HK is no longer as safe as it once was... a sad fact, but true.

Well, I can't entirely disagree unfortunately. But I think one has to put it into perspective. There's still enough local "talent" as well and - years ago - there was a South American (yes, South American) gang that specialised in pickpocketing in tourist areas and it took Hong Kong's finest months to get hold of them. To just blame "people from the mainland" is a bit too easy but again, they are certainly part of the program.

The main problem is that there's a huge and growing wealth gap in Hong Kong and those at the lower strata of society are finding it harder to make ends meet; and naturally some of them will cross the line to do criminal stuff.

The main problem is that there's a huge and growing wealth gap in Hong Kong and those at the lower strata of society are finding it harder to make ends meet; and naturally some of them will cross the line to do criminal stuff.

That's not entirely accurate. There has always been a very large gap in HK. A lot of mainland money is coming in which in turn, attracts these types of people from surrounding areas and abroad.

A lot of mainland money is coming in which in turn, attracts these types of people from surrounding areas and abroad.

Quite a reversal in the perception of "mainlander".

Quite a reversal in the perception of "mainlander".

What exactly do you mean?

At the risk of offending those of Chinese (HK excluded) descent, the general view of mainlanders is not favourable, mostly as a result of bad apples that reflect poorly on the whole.

Quite a reversal in the perception of "mainlander".

How so? It means NOTHING to me how much money these mainland Chinese have; as long as they cannot follow simple rules of common courtesy or politeness, the perception will not change. The issue of money may mean a lot to the political or business groups, but to the locals who have to deal with them, it's quite unpleasant.

Local newspapers have well reported the increased crime gangs from the mainland invading HK, most recently regarding the theft of luxury vehicles (this has always bemused me - HK and the PRC drive on different sides of the road!).

One third of HK's population is mainland born, and only a tiny minority of people can claim all 4 grandparents as HK-born, so this is all rather comical really.

(Source: http://www.bycensus2006.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_981/a111e.xls )

One third of HK's population is mainland born, and only a tiny minority of people can claim all 4 grandparents as HK-born, so this is all rather comical really.

(Source: http://www.bycensus2006.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_981/a111e.xls )

It's really a matter of behavior, attitude, and common courtesy as opposed to tracing one's family tree to see how they are related to Hong Kong.

What exactly do you mean?


How so?

Perception relating to socioeconomic status.
As the wealth gap decreases, perceptions change
for better or worse.

When I lived in Hongkong, I always figured that if you show me ten "chinese", I can tell you about 8 of them, if they are HK or mainlanders.... ;) No matter which social level they belong to....

I'm sorry to hear that as well. But as a native HK citizen, I've got to say HK is still one of the safest city on earth. Compare to 99% of major cities, the worst that can happen to you in HK is being pocket picked. Whereas in the US, such as NYC or Los Angeles (Where I live now) there are innocent people being murdered every night in stupid bar brawls or street robbing.

anyway, I love HK.

When I lived in Hongkong, I always figured that if you show me ten "chinese", I can tell you about 8 of them, if they are HK or mainlanders.... ;) No matter which social level they belong to....

Without being racist (aren't we all the same 'race'?), I and a lot of other people can too... even CX FA's are quite good at knowing who to speak mandarin and Cantonese to.

I've got to say HK is still one of the safest city on earth.

No doubt; the cops in HK are also one of the most professional I've ever met... in contrast to those in France... but that's a story for another time.

Whereas in the US, such as NYC or Los Angeles (Where I live now) there are innocent people being murdered every night in stupid bar brawls or street robbing.

anyway, I love HK.

Oh, you still have those, the 'drunk gwai lo's' having a go in LKF, although those are quite harmless in comparison.

When I lived in Hongkong, I always figured that if you show me ten "chinese", I can tell you about 8 of them, if they are HK or mainlanders.... ;) No matter which social level they belong to....

I guess if you listened to them speaking that would be really easy.

I guess if you listened to them speaking that would be really easy.

nah, it's the dress-code, e.g. men will mostly be wearing a polo shirt tucked into some dark blue/black slacks with a slim black belt and more than likely a man purse over the whole ensemble.

I'm sorry to hear that as well. But as a native HK citizen, I've got to say HK is still one of the safest city on earth. Compare to 99% of major cities, the worst that can happen to you in HK is being pocket picked.


While I agree that HK is pretty safe, according to the crime stats (http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/09_statistics/csc.html), there are many worse things that happen in HK beyond being pick pocketed.


Whereas in the US, such as NYC or Los Angeles (Where I live now) there are innocent people being murdered every night in stupid bar brawls or street robbing.


Sadly, in much of the violent crime victim and criminal know each other. The number of deaths due to bar brawls is pretty low. Incidentally, NYC crime is down 76% (http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cscity.pdf) since 1993!

While I agree that HK is pretty safe, according to the crime stats (http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/09_statistics/csc.html), there are many worse things that happen in HK beyond being pick pocketed.

Crime for local juveniles and young persons are down year-on-year, while crimes committed by mainland visitors and mainland illegal immigrants are up :td: sad truth of globalization?


Sadly, in much of the violent crime victim and criminal know each other. The number of deaths due to bar brawls is pretty low. Incidentally, NYC crime is down 76% (http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cscity.pdf) since 1993!

New York in 20, 30 years ago was quite unsafe! Of course, only in certain areas, but still.

Oh, you still have those, the 'drunk gwai lo's' having a go in LKF, although those are quite harmless in comparison.

Yea, but when was the last time one pulled out a gun and shot someone to death?

Yea, but when was the last time one pulled out a gun and shot someone to death?

Key phrase: Quite harmless in comparison.

;)

Key phrase: Quite harmless in comparison.

;)

Exactly. I spent many many nights in the night scenes in HK when I was a teen, and the absolute worst thing that one can ever experience is a punch in the face. Compare to the States, people still get shots from driving like a jerk and cut infront of people.

Exactly. I spent many many nights in the night scenes in HK when I was a teen, and the absolute worst thing that one can ever experience is a punch in the face. Compare to the States, people still get shots from driving like a jerk and cut infront of people.

Frankly I don't think enough people are getting shot for driving idiotically and cutting in front of other drivers. Or driving drunk for that matter. We really need a mass cull of bad drivers in Chicago.

nah, it's the dress-code, e.g. men will mostly be wearing a polo shirt tucked into some dark blue/black slacks with a slim black belt and more than likely a man purse over the whole ensemble.

Damn! you just describe what I am wearing today :D. Better un-tucked my shirt when I walk out of the office.

Damn! you just describe what I am wearing today :D. Better un-tucked my shirt when I walk out of the office.

As long as you don't have the fake LV man purse, you should be good to go... :D

As long as you don't have the fake LV man purse, you should be good to go... :D

A-goods LV man purse = Chinese
real LV man purse = Japanese

I have neither, just my ThinkTank laptop case which sort of like a man purse though.;)