
Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Police in Taipei and New Taipei said Monday they have stepped up efforts to prevent theft following multiple pickpocketing incidents involving Japanese tourists at popular scenic spots across both cities this year.
From Jan. 1 to Aug. 10, New Taipei handled a total of 8,034 ordinary theft cases, in five of which the victims were Japanese nationals, the city's Criminal Investigation Corps. said in a statement.
Three of the five cases occurred in Jiufen, a mountain town known for its teahouses and souvenir shops, while the other two incidents took place near Shifen Waterfall and Lehua Night Market. The total reported loss was estimated at NT$105,806 (US$3,536).
The statement followed a notice from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association recently posted on its official website, warning Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan to be cautious of pickpockets.
It specifically highlighted night markets, Jiufen, Yongkang Street, and areas near Taipei Metro's Zhongshan Station as some of the places where visitors need to be particularly vigilant.
In addition to enforcing police checks, the investigation corps. said it has implemented various preventive measures, such as working with the Ruifang police precinct to periodically review nearby security camera footage in areas where thefts could occur.
Police have coordinated with local businesses to adjust the angles of their security cameras and installed additional surveillance equipment across key locations, including the open area in front of the A-Mei Teahouse on Jiufen Old Street and Shengping Theater, thereby increasing monitoring coverage, it said.
Furthermore, signs in multiple languages warning people not to openly display valuables and to be mindful of theft have been put up in popular tourist spots while local businesses have also been asked to help alert authorities to suspicious individuals.
In Taipei, the police department's Criminal Investigation Division said that as of early August, the city has handled 11 cases of Japanese tourists being pickpocketed in night markets and other locations this year.
Some of those incidents happened in Yongkang Shopping District and on buses, the police division said.
Various efforts to combat theft have been taken, including the strengthening of surveillance footage monitoring to identify suspects and working with local businesses to promote anti-theft awareness, it added.
Police urged the public to keep valuables such as wallets and mobile phones at hand and in places difficult for thieves to access when visiting night markets, tourist shopping districts, or using public transportation.
People should also be alert to strangers who are unusually close or seem to deliberately bump into them, they added.
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