Snatch thefts in Malaysia

Snatch thefts are an increasing problem in Malaysia. It is particularly bad in cities such as KL, Johor and Penang. But other towns also suffer from this problem. It is generally 2 men on a motorbike who snatch the bag of any victim they can find. There have been many injuries and even some fatalities when the person, usually a lady, tries to hold onto the bag and gets dragged by the pillion rider. In some cases even the thieves have been injured or died when crashing after the theft, or have been caught by angry citizens.

I was a victim of such thieves in Miri many years ago. And again more recently in Bangsar outside BSC some time ago. I had just got out of my car and was about to walk off when my bag was grabbed. Luckily I hadn't even had time to put my car keys in the bag. Since that event, I have been very wary when walking anywhere in KL, especially Bangsar. I try not to use a bag now, but if I do, I always make sure I never have rhe bag on the outside of my body, and use one which can strap across my body.

Since that event I am always alert and if I hear a motorbike, I make sure I look to see who is driving, sometimes glaring at some poor innocent rider!

Just 3 months after my loss, I had an attempted snatch. Again it was in Bangsar, and I was walking back to my car from the supermarket. Being alert for bikes since my earlier loss, I got suspicious when I could hear a bike coming behind me. I immediately moved into the side of the road so that I was sheltered by the parked cars. The bike cruised by slowly and I soon reached my car. Luckily I kept my wits about me, and watched the bike, because as I got into my car, the bike which was ahead, turned round and came back towards me. I knew something was up so quickly got into my car and managed to lock the doors (thank goodness for quick locking doors), just as the pillion rider got off the bike, came to my car, and tried to open the passenger door (which was the one next to the road). I looked straight into his eyes as he tried the door, and I was terrified he would damage my car, but he just went back to the bike and they drove off. I was shaking and sat and recovered, then as I drove off about 5 minutes later, I saw the same bike crusiing around. As I had a good description by then, I decided to to go the Bangsar Polis pondok to make a report - this was a total waste of time as the policemen weren't interested and only half heartedly took a statement.

That was some time ago, but snatch thefts are still a problem, and I know of so many people who know of someone who has been a victim. Some thieves are even using cars, and just grab the bag from the open window as they drive past. This is even more dangerous for the victim who is likely to be dragged if not letting go of the bag.

And because of this problem, they have now erected road signs in Bangsar warning of snatch thieves. The signs are only along the main road, they need to put some in the housing areas where the thefts usually occur. Other suburbs of KL also have similiar signs. The 3rd photo is taken from Star warning about pickpockets and snatch thefts.

Some thieves are even using parangs now to attack the victim.

And I was quite surprised to see that Wikipedia even has an entry about Malaysian snatch thefts.

I later saw one sign at Bukit Bintang.

© Liz Price
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