The European Crime Prevention Network (EUCPN) launched a European prevention campaign on pickpocketing during mass events, the police said.

Through an animation video, the EUCPN and 25 EU states, including Malta, aim to step up the fight against this crime by warning and informing citizens on how they can protect themselves.

The campaign #Protect Your Pocket, is financed by the Internal Security Fund of the European Union. It includes a short animation video, which can easily reach a large audience.

It demonstrates, with a touch of humour, how a cartoon figure is not paying attention to the belongings in his or her pockets while standing in a large crowd, watching a football game on big outdoor screens.

Such events were a paradise for pickpockets, they said. They added that people could obtain more information on how to protect themselves on the EUCPN website.

Pickpocketing is one of the oldest and most widespread crimes in the world and the consequences for victims are severe.