TV Pick of the week: Secrets of the Pickpockets

This week's pick of the week takes a look at a subject that will be close to some people's hearts, especially those who have been victims of pickpocketing.

Pickpocketing is one of the most common forms of crime committed everyday. You could be walking down the street and before you know it your phone is missing from your arse pocket or from the pouch in the side your bag. That leaves you in a horrible situation: did I leave my phone on a table, or was I just robbed.

As the Olympic Games draw millions of spectators and tourists to London, gangs of pickpockets are on the rise across the capital – some even flying in simply to rob, cheat and steal (and we’re not talking about the female badminton players). Secrets of the Pickpockets (Channel 4, Wednesday, 10.00pm) tells the story of the unseen war on a crime that sees over 1700 victims a day.

We see how organised crews of pickpockets have already descended in on London in search of easy pickings, which makes us wonder, will they dip their hand into Irish pockets too? This documentary tells the story of the unseen war on the 'dippers' and the specialist crack teams created to take them on.

Worryingly enough, instances of pickpocketing has increased 17% in the last two years and pickpocketing is a crime that is rarely witnessed by the public.

This film follows the game of cat and mouse played out between the cops and robbers beneath the gaze of tourists and regular Londoners, catching the action as it unfolds and some of the astonishing tricks of the pickpocket trade, from the 'block and shield' to the 'two-fingered lift'… whatever that is.

So check it out and you might learn a thing or two about how to prevent your personal possessions ending up in the hands of some greasy lout.

Secrets of the Pickpockets (Channel 4, Wednesday, 10.00pm)