“DIPS” AT WORK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 2

“DIPS” AT WORK.

THE PICKPOCKET MENACE. SHOP-LIFTERS ALSO BUSY. The elusive individual of a fairy finger, known as a “dip” in tho police vernacular, is making his presence felt in Auckland, judging by the latest advices to hand. Two men who recently arrived at the northern city from Australia ar.? awaiting trial on a charge of attempted theft from the person, but it is believed (comments the Star) that there are others in Auckland who should be in a similar position. During the past, week or 'so the detective staff has been .more than ordinarily alert, keeping a watchful eye for light-fingered gentry wherever crowds congregate. In other words, there is reason to believe that pickpockets are at work in Ilia city. One of the instances reported to the police is that of an old-ago pensioner, who was deprived of a pocket wallet containing £0 and a pension certificate. While walking in Queen street during tho afternoon an apparently drunken man stumbled against him, throwing limp arms around the old man’s body, as if for support. Instantly another man stepped up, lull of apologies, for his friend, who had taken just a few too many, and hadn't meant to he rough. . The' gentleman would forgive the sudden embrace—in short the old. old trick which has been worked more or less successfully in every country in the world was “pulled off” in Queen street in broad daylight! Several hours later, when looking for his wallet in vain, the pensioner had good reason to remember the “drunken” man and his polite friend. In addition to tho pickpocket there is the sister variety of light-fingered folk — the lady “dip.” She works fast and quietly, usually in a big,drapery store. Unlike the picker of pockets, who flourishes mostly in tho holiday season, the female of this species is always with ns. Her speciality is shoplifting, but she is not above getting away with a purse or parcel which may have been left on a counter for a moment. Only last week a little incident occurred in one of Auckland’s biggest drapery establishments that went to show (hat it is unwise to be too trusting in a crowd. A country lady had a full basket, made up for the most part with presents in small parcels, some of which wore worth several pounds. Leaving the basket on a. counter she turned to a show case and inspected some goods. A minute later a man touched her on the arm and told her to look at hex basket. She did so, and was dismayed to find that the top parcel had disappeared. “If vou ask that woman over there she might tell you something about it,” said tbe man, walking out of the shop. The woman indicated, who was fashionably dressed, then endeavoured to get away, but tho country lady intercepted her, and eventually (He parcel was returned. It had been hidden in tho smart parasol which the well-dressed woman was carrying. So pleased was the country lady at regaining her property that she would not detain the woman further, and the thief then disappeared into the crowded street ere she realised that it would have been in the interests of the public to have her arrested.