Artful Dodgers’ new holiday bag snatch trick

HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned to look out for Artful Dodgers using a range of new tricks to steal valuables.

Two insurance firms have revealed some surprising claims made by customers on their home insurance policies for thefts abroad.

They show that families should be on high alert for sly watch-snatchers, masters of distraction and even thieves of a different species – with cheeky monkeys causing mischief. Analysis of claims made by John Lewis home insurance policyholders in the past 12 months revealed a number of crafty techniques.

In one case a traveller was handed a flyer about a supposed event – allowing a thief time to pinch valuables while the tourist was reading it. In another distraction crime, a thief dropped a wad of paper notes and snatched a holidaymaker’s bag while she was helping pick them up.

Another thief used sleight of hand to swipe a phone – placing a newspaper over it while engaging its owner in conversation. Then he picked up the paper with the phone underneath and walked off.

Young families are seen as easy targets, with moped muggers and robbers loitering at airports ready to swoop on parents busy with a child. Insurer Aviva warns that sometimes it is even a monkey that does the crime. One customer saw a primate grab his bag and jump out of reach on to a wall to rifle through its belongings.

Unimpressed by the mobile, the monkey let it smash to the ground. Aviva replaced the handset.

Watch snatchers use tricks such as asking for the time or shaking hands to remove the jewellery.

Rob Sharpe, Aviva travel claims manager, says: ‘Don’t carry too much cash or valuables on you. If your hotel has a safe, use it.’

He adds: ‘Ensure you have sufficient cover for bags and valuables. This could be under a travel policy or under personal belongings provision on a home policy.’

You can find out about crime hotspots at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Those who do fall victim, say experts at John Lewis, should contact local police, the hotel or tour operators and their insurers. The police should provide a case reference number, which is necessary to initiate a claim.

A spokesman for John Lewis says: ‘Don’t buy replacements until your insurer has said how it will settle a claim. Depending on the value and type of item, your insurer will decide whether to repair or replace lost, damaged or stolen property. Or you may get a cash settlement.’