Luxembourg faces an influx of pickpockets

The Luxembourg prosecutor's office has sounded the alarm: organised groups stealing in crowded places have become more active in the capital. The peak of criminal activity was during the Christmas period - the festive atmosphere, illuminations and crowded streets provided a convenient cover for experienced thieves.

On Wednesday, 26 November, at around 14:40, police detained two minors near place de Paris, one of the city's central traffic hubs. The victim had his wallet stolen while travelling on a tram. It is noteworthy that the detainees presented themselves with false names, and it was only through co-operation with foreign authorities that their real identity was established.

In an attempt to isolate the suspects, law enforcers turned to the Social Rehabilitation Centre in Dreiborn, where juvenile offenders are usually housed. However, the facility was overcrowded. As a result, the juveniles were placed in a Luxembourg prison, a decision that emphasises the urgency of the situation and the lack of dedicated resources.

The prosecutor's office directly calls what is happening "alarming" and confirms that we are not talking about individual offenders, but about groups with signs of organisation, acting purposefully in places of mass gathering of people. Their arsenal includes false documents, precise calculations and coordinated actions. The situation is so serious that the police have already stepped up patrols and are monitoring key high-risk areas.