Vivid Sydney Crowds Urged to be Wary of Pickpocket Gangs

Visitors to the Vivid Sydney festival are being reminded to keep a watchful eye on their valuables amidst concerns of pickpocket gangs preying on unsuspecting crowds.

Vivid Sydney will run from 24 May to 15 June 2024. Authorities have sounded the alarm after a professional syndicate of at least five Nepalese nationals from Sydney was caught red-handed targeting patrons during last year’s event.

The Surry Hills Police Operations Centre, staffed by personnel from ambulance, fire brigade, and transport agencies, will be closely monitoring live camera feeds across the city to ensure public safety.

Modus Operandi of the Pickpocket Gangs

According to NSW Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, the pickpocket gangs operate by milling around victims, overcrowding them, while one member distracts the target by bumping into them, and another swiftly steals wallets or purses from handbags or backpacks.

Mr Fileman warned that the pickpocket gangs were very opportunistic, advising people to keep a close watch on their valuables.

The gangs were caught on camera lurking around chokepoints and congregating areas, such as the Opera House forecourt and Circular Quay, as visitors attempted to find vantage points to enjoy the light spectacle. Mobile cameras have been strategically positioned along the foreshore to aid surveillance efforts.

Previous Arrests and Sentencing

Last year’s operation led to the arrest of the five-member gang, with 18 victims coming forward and another 35 reporting stolen property. However, only Vinoth Kumar, 30, of Blacktown, pleaded guilty to obtaining financial gain by deception and was sentenced to a 15-month corrections order.

Despite the incident, Mr Fileman assured that Vivid remains a spectacular and generally safe event, particularly for families and visitors from interstate or overseas.

He highlighted the collaborative efforts among emergency services, with the Surry Hills Police Operations Centre playing a pivotal role in monitoring and coordinating security measures during the festival.

As Vivid Sydney prepares to dazzle crowds once again, attracting an expected 3.5 million visitors, including peak crowds of 200,000 at Circular Quay, authorities urge festival-goers to remain vigilant to ensure an enjoyable and secure experience during the event.

Published 24-May-2024