TalkTalk 'put-pockets' operating in London
TalkTalk 'put-pockets' operating in London
The mobile phone and broadband provider TalkTalk is operating reverse pickpocketing in London. TalkTalk is carrying out 'put-pocketing' in the capital, secretly placing money in people's pockets.
TalkTalk has employed 20 specialist 'put-pockets', including former pickpockets, to give away between £5 and £20 at a time. The scheme is being piloted in
London and will be rolled out nationwide from September.
The initiative was launched to prove that companies can still give something back to members of the public in spite of the recession. "With so many scams out there, Britons have become very sceptical of companies giving money away," said TalkTalk's Mark Schmid. "We have turned to put-pocketing to give something back. Whilst unconventional, we don't think anyone is going to mind finding a crisp £20 in their pocket."
Locations currently being targeted in London include Leicester Square, Oxford Circus, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Westminster. Put-pockets are also operating on the tube network.
However, some areas are intentionally being excluded: "The activity will avoid the City and Canary Wharf financial areas as we want to give the money to people who actually need it. The put-pockets have actually been briefed to avoid people that look like they are very well off."
In case they are caught in the act, the put-pocket team members have been given special ID cards and have plain-clothed minders to intervene and explain the situation if needed. Signs have also been put up to indicate that put-pockets are operating in the targeted areas.
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