beware of Dippers

[giny30]

Hi guys, don't want to start a panic so please just be aware of the following and keep an eye out for it.

Just finished out trip to DLP and noticed a few things to be wary of. Whilst waiting to go on one of the rides with my daughter I noticed a group of teen lads sitting on the barriers watching people.

Later on as one of the parades was about to start in Disney Studios I saw some of these lads run up to people and grab hold of them, jumping and cheering. This was a front for some of them to try and reach into bags etc. They would then run off, this being near to the exits and before people realised what happened.

Later as we left Disneyland Park, we saw the same lads jumping an 8ft gate into the park, followed very quickly by security.

Please just keep an eye out for this type of behavior and be wary of groups coming at you jumping and cheering. I'm sure its only a small group and security seem well aware if it due to their quick reactions.

 

[the_princess]

It's good to hear that security was after them.... You have to be aware of this no matter were you go. Some people seem to forget that bad people go to Disneyland as well. I'm glad you wrote this cause it reminded me of something I already know but easily forgets in all the magic!

 

[amylouv]

This was something I was worried about before visiting in April. Luckily I had no problems but kept the zip on my handbag towards me at all times. It's awful how some people take such advantage of tourist destinations

 

[Ware Bears]

It's so easy to get sucked into 'holiday mode' so thanks for the warning.

Did you have a good trip?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Are you talking about this type of technique ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18870107

It's at 59 secs

This is getting more and more rampant across Europe and it will get a lot worse as more and more people are travelling

The police don't have the ressources to stop them and the laws aren't on their side either-it's really frustrating and it's true that people seem to forget about these dangers when they travel

 

[giny30]

Are you talking about this type of technique ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18870107

It's at 59 secs

This is getting more and more rampant across Europe and it will get a lot worse as more and more people are travelling

The police don't have the ressources to stop them and the laws aren't on their side either-it's really frustrating and it's true that people seem to forget about these dangers when they travel

Pretty much exactley the same technique. Because they appear to be happy and playing about, it puts the person off what they would normally think.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Thought it would be

Will be watching out for them

 

[the_princess]

I get so sad thinking about how some people do this without feeling bad at all.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Be careful during parades too. Last July we were watching the parade from the rocks at the entrance to Discoveryland. This was to be the very last activity before we had to leave the park for the last time so we were laden with all the last minute shopping bags as well. I had everything around me but was keeping an eye on it all which was just as well as I spotted someone unzipping my rucksack! I confronted the woman and her accomplice rounded on me saying it was our fault to leave bags unattended!!! They weren’t unattended which was why I noticed them thieving. I even took a photo of the would-be thief (still have it on the computer somewhere) and would have taken it into City Hall if we had had the time although I doubt they would have been interested. What shocked me was that the two women both had small children with them. As soon as the parade ended they were met by, I assume, their husbands and went off laughing.

 

[tinks_1989]

Be careful during parades too. Last July we were watching the parade from the rocks at the entrance to Discoveryland. This was to be the very last activity before we had to leave the park for the last time so we were laden with all the last minute shopping bags as well. I had everything around me but was keeping an eye on it all which was just as well as I spotted someone unzipping my rucksack! I confronted the woman and her accomplice rounded on me saying it was our fault to leave bags unattended!!! They weren’t unattended which was why I noticed them thieving. I even took a photo of the would-be thief (still have it on the computer somewhere) and would have taken it into City Hall if we had had the time although I doubt they would have been interested. What shocked me was that the two women both had small children with them. As soon as the parade ended they were met by, I assume, their husbands and went off laughing.

That is awful that some one could do that yet alone have their kids with them!

 

[mum2threemonsters]

I got back last night and I had my Iphone stolen out of my baby bag despite being quite wary of pickpocketers all holiday. It was late so I was tired, my 1 year old was up and down like a yoyo and people were jumping around all over the show. Before I knew it Id lost it! Just a warning!

 

[cherrymarzipan]

That is awful, I'm so sorry for you. Even nearly getting robbed left a nasty taste in my mouth at the end of the holiday so I can imagine how you must feel. I hope the rest of your holiday was amazing to make up for it in some small way.

 

[tinks_1989]

I got back last night and I had my Iphone stolen out of my baby bag despite being quite wary of pickpocketers all holiday. It was late so I was tired, my 1 year old was up and down like a yoyo and people were jumping around all over the show. Before I knew it Id lost it! Just a warning!

Oh no that's awful didnt you lose your camera on the way home last time? X

 

[Carrie_Cat]

That is awful that some one could do that yet alone have their kids with them!

That's how a lot of them work as the children are a good cover and you can put the stolen stuff in their clothes/buggy

A lot of these people also have the children stealing which makes it difficult to stop them as they are underage and don't risk anything by law

I got back last night and I had my Iphone stolen out of my baby bag despite being quite wary of pickpocketers all holiday. It was late so I was tired, my 1 year old was up and down like a yoyo and people were jumping around all over the show. Before I knew it Id lost it! Just a warning!

I'm sorry that your holiday ended like this

Smart phone theft and especially iphones is on the increase and it's overtaken bag snatching in the city.

I hope you can get something back from your insurer and that you have blocked the phone so that they can't use it on your account

 

[Ware Bears]

That is awful that some one could do that yet alone have their kids with them!

I know it's unbelievable, isn't it. I think it's for the same reason as to why some of them pretend to be pregnant, they hope it's going to lull people into a false sense of security.

What's really worrying is that these people are now in the parks. I know one's always got to keep their wits about them but up to now people seemed to be reporting getting approached/pickpocketed in the village and areas outside the parks whereas now these people are obviously paying for entry to the parks.

I got back last night and I had my Iphone stolen out of my baby bag

Oh no, so sorry to read this.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I know it's unbelievable, isn't it. I think it's for the same reason as to why some of them pretend to be pregnant, they hope it's going to lull people into a false sense of security.

What's really worrying is that these people are now in the parks. I know one's always got to keep their wits about them but up to now people seemed to be reporting getting approached/pickpocketed in the village and areas outside the parks whereas now these people are obviously paying for entry to the parks.

This was to be expected imo as when you are selling a 20€ or even cheaper ticket or giving a free AP as hundreds (thousands ?) of people have got when Disney sent out the mailing to come and get a free Decouverte AP - my inlaws got a letter and they've never been to DLP in their lives and never will - you are encouraging people to come and enjoy the easy pickings that are available in the park.

Imagine you are a thief - you have people with bags open, loads of cash being waved about, phones, cameras, ipads galore . These people are distracted by their children or head in the clouds as they are in a "safe" place and they don't think like they would at home.

You are easy going to get back your 20€ outlay

There are also those who can climb the fences and will chance their arm like that

 

[ctl]

This makes me sad and angry. It is terrible that people who work hard to save and take their family on vacation are ripped off by ignoramuses who obviously lack any morals and feel no shame. Many times the police are not interested in following up on these cases and chastize you for "allowing" yourself to be the victim of pickpockets, as if it is your fault. Thanks for the warning.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

All this reminds me of our very first trip to Disneyland Paris back in 1995 when I had my purse pick-pocketed when waiting in the waiting area for one of the shows ... it happened during all of the jostling to get into the theatre. I have travelled all over the world and the only place I have ever fallen victim to anything like this is in Disneyland Paris .... that said, in other destinations I am super vigilant ... inside the Magic ... probably less so

A reminder for us all ...

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Oh no that's awful didnt you lose your camera on the way home last time? X

I did! So I thought I was being more wary this time. The bags were on the floor by the railings and I was stood with my foot on the handles however at times I was picking my son up and putting him in his chair and people were jumping over my bags to go over the railings and back and Im just presuming this is when it went missing as Id had it before. It was dark, late and we were tired, perfect timing for them.

That's how a lot of them work as the children are a good cover and you can put the stolen stuff in their clothes/buggy

A lot of these people also have the children stealing which makes it difficult to stop them as they are underage and don't risk anything by law



I'm sorry that your holiday ended like this

Smart phone theft and especially iphones is on the increase and it's overtaken bag snatching in the city.

I hope you can get something back from your insurer and that you have blocked the phone so that they can't use it on your account

I didnt have insurance (I hate phone insurance although I should have it - Iv been messed around before by insurers and I used to work in Insurance!) but my contract only had 6 months left so Iv blocked it and learnt another lesson. If I can warn one person about how easily these people stole my phone then I will feel happier.

 

[tinks_1989]

Is your phone covered on your house insurance? We have something like personal possessions on our I we were to have phones, cash or something like cameras I pads stolen from our bags it is covered. Christmas before last I had my purse (my weeks wages in it) ours house insurances covered it.

I hope you didn't lose too many photos on your phone! I think that's what I would be most disappointed about if I lost my phone I have 100's of photos on mine.