European police chiefs gather for conference on pickpocketing

Police chiefs from a number of European capitals have gathered in Prague for a conference on fighting pickpockets, Mlada fronta Dnes reported. Prague police complain that Czech prosecutors are reluctant to remand pickpockets, who often leave the country after arrest. Police chief Petr Zelasko also said his officers were trying to persuade judges that pickpockets were often not individual criminals but members of organised gangs. The conference runs until Thursday.

Author: Ian Willoughby