Stop thief! Beijing issues anti-pickpocket subway guide

The Beijing subway map may guide passengers wherever they want to go in the city, but the producers of a new "anti-pickpocket map" hope it will ensure they arrive with all their belongings in tow.

The guide book drafted by staff of the capital's busiest subway station, Guomao, was published on Friday to help passengers deal with the notorious underground thieves.

The so-called "anti-pickpocket map" offers information ranging from police warnings on which stations are most prone to pilferage to tips by frequent subway travelers on keeping property safe.

"Pickpocketing seriously affects subway operations, especially at rush hours. We have tightened security patrols in the station, but we also hope the guide book will help raise public awareness of how to deal with the thieves," Li Runling, Party chief of Guomao Station told Xinhua.

Guomao Station, a crowded interchange station in Beijing's central business district located in the eastern part of the capital, sees an average of 450,000 passengers every day.

According to the guide book, four daily periods carry the highest risk of pickpocketing: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., 1 to 3 p.m., 5 to 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. to the end of train operations.

Tourists and drunken passengers make easy prey for thieves.

Tips given in the book include putting your cash, credit cards, and passport in a well-zipped, properly sealed bag, and holding it to your breast.

"The morning and evening rush hours are most dangerous as thieves usually take the 'Golden Moment' to 'work' when passengers are flowing in or out of carriages," said Li.

The guide book now is currently only available in Guomao Station, but it will soon be introduced to nearby stations like Shuangjing, Jinsong and Jintaixizhao, according to Li.

Beijing's 14 subway lines carry over 8.5 million passengers on an average day, according to the Beijing Subway Company.