Teams of professional pickpockets from Eastern European countries have started operating in areas of Helsinki that are popular with tourists, according to city police.
As warmer temperatures and tourists start arriving, professional thieves start getting to work as well. A similar street crime 'seasonal peak' also occurs during the colder months, for instance at events like Helsinki's Christmas Market.
According to police Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen, the pickpockets work in teams.
"One thief distracts the tourist, maybe by bumping into them. While the tourist's attention is diverted to the person who bumped into them, another thief steals [the target's] valuables," Kiiskinen explained, adding that thieves are particularly interested in finding cash, smartphones and other valuables.
"The crimes mostly happen in broad daylight," she said.
The pickpockets are not known to be violent or threaten their victims — but they do carry out their crimes quickly, according to Kiiskinen.
The police department said it aims to prevent the thefts by monitoring areas popular with tourists, including Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral as well as the often-crowded Alexanterinkatu street.
Police said that officers have apprehended several suspected professional pickpockets, all of whom are thought to be from Eastern European countries.
According to police, the suspected thieves are generally deported under the Aliens Act, as they are considered to pose a threat to public order and safety.