Tourists Warned About Rise In Pickpockets At Famous Bali Resort

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Tourists on vacation in Bali’s beachside resort of Legian are being warned about the small but significant rise in the number of pickpockets operating in the areas.

Following a viral video of a suspected thief being apprehended outside a club in the area over the weekend, tourists are being warden to keep a close eye on their belongings. 

The viral video shows a local man being apprehended during a scuffle outside a club close to the Bali Bombing Memorial in Legian.

The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Police have launched an investigation based on the video, though the victim has not yet filed a formal report. 

The man is believed to have walked up to two tourists walking on Jalan Legian at the end of their night out. He is said to have offered a bike rental service and during the brief conversation pickpocket the tourist’s cell phone.

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When the tourists realized what had happened, the altercation ensued. The phone was eventually returned to the tourists, and the man in question claimed the phone had fallen from the tourist’s pocket and he had simply picked it up.

The Head of Legian Village, Ni Putu Eka Martini, has confirmed that following the incident he and his teams have increased attention on Jalan Legian. He said, “Don’t let pickpocket gangs act in our area…We have agreed to increase security to prevent criminal acts in both the Legian and Kuta areas.”

Speaking separately the Kuta I Village Head Putu Dedik Ardi Ardiana told reporters that he too will ensure that surveillance is increased in the vacation resort to best keep tourists safe. He shared “We will make efforts to increase security and comfort in the Kuta area. We will discuss that later.” 

@bali_buddies All the fun of Legian Beach at sunset…cold beers, cotton candy, Rolexes and four peolle trying to massage you at once 💆🏽‍♂️😆 #legian #bali #balitiktok #holidays #indonesia ♬ could you be loveddd – sophi

Those frequent visitors to Bali will know that once upon a time pickpocketing in Kuta and Legian happened frequently.

As thieves, opportunistic and organized, enter and leave and return to the area as surveillance levels increase and decrease, and the peak vacation seasons turn over, the number of reports of pickpocketing in these areas rises and falls.

Ardiana said he also does not deny that the concern of the surrounding community was also very important, especially businesses that do have security personnel. “We hope they will also pay attention, at least, to the environment around their respective places of business.”

@gustiayupuspitasari2611 📍Legian Beach Hotel, Bali . . . . #traveltiktok #tiktoktravel #bali #sunset #fyp #kuta #legian #beach #beachvibes ♬ original sound – Gusti Ayu Puspitasari

Following a rise in the number of reports of muggings in the Legian area Maritini and his teams announced earlier this month that they would be increasing patrols of the resort town to help keep tourist feeling safe and comfortable on their nights out. 

Speaking on the 9th of October Martini said that 24-hour patrols will be conducted throughout Legian for the foreseeable future. This is in addition to periodic police patrols and the private security teams on duty at the bigger resorts and hotels in the area. 

The local security team, known as the Legian Kancil Team, are tasked with keeping both tourist and locals safe from criminals who are attempting to operate in the areas.

In times gone by, this increased presence on the streets has been sufficient in deterring criminals from staying in the area much longer. 

While it is concerning to hear about a rise in the number of thefts and attempted pockets in the Legian area, with all eyes on surveillance, cases will surely decrease as quickly as they resurface.

Legian is one of the most popular family-friendly resorts in Bali, and businesses and the community want to keep it that way. 

One of the best ways to stay safe in Legian during a night out is to use a taxi from the party venue back to the hotel.

Tourists are also urged to keep their valuable items in the safe in their rooms or out of view especially if walking on Jalan Legian, Jalan Sahadewa, Jalan Werkudara, Jalan Padma, and Jalan Poppies.