Gardaí urge caution over Christmas as vulnerable drunk people targeted - Kilkenny Live

Gardaí are urging people to be vigilant over the Christmas period following a series of crimes targeting the vulnerable and inebriated. 

Officers, particularly in Dublin, have issued a warning about criminals targeting people (primarily men) making their way home at night who may be on their own or appear drunk. 

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A thief or thieves may befriend the injured party and obtain their mobile phone and PIN number. 

The injured party may believe they have been approached by a ‘good citizen’ or may have gotten into a vehicle in the belief that it is a taxi or that the ‘stranger’ or ‘good citizen’ is offering them a lift. 

Once a thief or thieves have identified the PIN number and stolen the mobile phone they then have access to the phone. This allows them to transfer money from a victim’s bank account to a Revolut account belonging to the criminal and allows them to withdraw the money at ATMs. 

Mobile phones, through modern apps and online banking, are an electronic wallet carrying details of bank accounts and bank cards. 

An Garda Síochána advises people to ensure passwords and codes for Apple Pay, Revolut, etc, are all different and completely different to the PIN to access the mobile device. 

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Gardaí attached to the DMR South Central investigating these crime types have recently carried out a number of searches during which stolen property has been recovered. 

Two males (21 years and 18 years) have been arrested and have appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice in relation to these investigations. 

Although the Christmas period will see more people out enjoying festivities, opportunities for criminals and the risk of thefts and attacks increase during this time. 

Gardaí are advising the public to be 'streetwise' and follow the PLANS model: 

PLAN your night out: How are you travelling? Have you a designated driver? Use Public Transport; busses, trains and Taxis remain the safest modes of travel. If getting a Taxi use Taxi Check to verify details (link here).

Always double check before getting into the car to make sure it is actually a Taxi. Take a picture of the registration/Taxi number and do not accept unsolicited offers of lifts. 
 
LET someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back, if your plan changes let someone know, send a message.
 
AVOID walking alone and in dark places, always try to stay in the company of friends as it's safer together.
 
NEVER attempt to reason with drunk or aggressive people. Instead, walk away and continue to enjoy your night out.
 
STREETWISE - Avoid getting over-intoxicated, be wary of your surroundings, mind your valuables, protect your mobile devices, never hand your device to a strange person, protect your PIN if using your device at cash terminals. 

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Further advice includes:
  
•         Always protect your pin codes, when accessing your phone
•         Don't let others see you input your pins
•         Don't open your phone and hand it over to another person
•         Have limits set to what can be transferred
•         Don't save pins, etc. on phone - always input them each time