Armed with TikTok, viral pickpocket-buster hunts London’s thieves
Delivery rider Diego Galdino uses social media to expose pickpockets in the British capital, sparking debate on vigilantism and crime control
On a recent weekday, Diego Galdino was on the hunt for pickpockets in central London, patrolling tourist hotspots for familiar suspects and telltale signs of those about to commit theft.
Galdino, however, is not a policeman.
The Brazilian food app delivery rider has become a popular, social media-fuelled vigilante targeting pickpocketing in the British capital.
He started filming – and then trying to disrupt – thieves in action after witnessing several incidents.
And his videos on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms under the handle “pickpocketlondon” have proved a hit.
One posted in late July on TikTok amassed nearly 27 million views – another on Instagram showing a suspect spitting at him garnered more than 12 million.
“I didn’t know nothing about TikTok, I didn’t know nothing about uploading a video,” Galdino said.