Kathrine Frich
Criminals do not need much time to strike.
Watching a massive sporting tournament on television brings a unique kind of shared energy.
When your home team scores a major victory, it is easy to lose yourself completely in the celebration.
But that intense focus can create a perfect window of opportunity for people looking to exploit a sudden distraction.
Scoring off pitch
That exact scenario played out in London during the opening match of the World Cup. Two opportunistic thieves entered a busy pub on Great Tower Street to target distracted football fans.
The criminals walked out with an extra piece of luggage. Fortunately, plain-clothes officers from the City of London Police noticed the suspicious behavior right away.
According to Daily Mail the police stopped the men and searched the bag. Inside, they discovered a high-end laptop estimated to be worth around £800.
Total distraction
The victim had absolutely no idea his property was gone. He had been happily watching England beat Croatia 4-2, completely unaware of the theft for fifteen minutes.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, both from Algeria. The suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues.
“While fans are focused on the football, bag thieves are looking for chances to score on and off the pitch,” Detective Superintendent Jonathan Ball warned.
He explained that criminals do not need much time to strike. A quick celebration or a trip to order a drink can be all it takes.
Watching for fouls
The authorities are utilizing extensive tech networks to secure the area. Ball compared their security setup to the video review systems used on the football pitch.
“VAR will be in use throughout the City and our control officers will be operating CCTV cameras from their very own Stockley Park, looking out for any foul play,” Ball stated.
The tournament excitement crossed the Atlantic, but so did the trouble. The Daily Mail noted that Texas police arrested six people at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas during the same game.
Those offenses included drug crimes and public intoxication. Meanwhile, over 14 million people tuned in back home to watch the dramatic match on ITV.
Sources: Daily Mail
