The crime-fighting, loud-mouthed lady behind the viral ‘Attenzione Pickpocket!’ memes taking TikTok by storm is an Italian politician and member of a right-wing political party, it has been revealed.
Monica Poli, a middle-aged Italian woman from Venice, became an internet sensation last month for her relentless crusade against petty crime.
Her signature cry of ‘attenzione pickpocket!’ quickly became a catchphrase, and her videos, posted on the social media accounts of the group Cittadini Non Distratti (‘undistracted citizens’) were remixed into dance tracks and used to mock everyday scenarios, like animals trying to nibble their owners’ food.
As members of Cittadini Non Distratti, Poli and her fellow volunteers have patrolled the streets of Venice for over three decades, often reporting suspected pickpockets to the police.
The group’s efforts have been attributed to a significant number of pickpocketing arrests in the city, and the social media craze has made Poli an unlikely internet star.
But the revelation that she is a member of Lega Nord, a conservative political party with associations to far-right politics and a disdain for immigration, has prompted concerns about the motivations behind her vigilantism.
Monica Poli, a middle-aged Italian woman from Venice, became an internet sensation last month for her relentless crusade against petty crime
Poli is a councillor for Lega Nord, a conservative political party with associations to far-right politics and a disdain for immigration
Poli defended her actions, emphasising that her group aims to protect tourists and raise awareness about pickpocketing in Venice (suspected pickpockets are seen running from Poli)
Lega Nord’s leader, Matteo Salvini, is known for his negative attitudes to Islam, the Roma community, gay marriage, and migrants.
He has been accused of peddling divisive rhetoric to fuel racism and xenophobia in Italy, and some critics responding to Poli’s posts claim her crusade against pickpockets might be a guise for racist harassment, particularly targeting the Roma community.
In a recent interview, Poli defended her actions, emphasising that her group aims to protect tourists and raise awareness about pickpocketing in Venice, claiming her group protects US and UK tourists from being targeted.
‘I have been part of a group of disturbance against pickpockets for 30 years – together with 40 other people,’ Monica told Newsweek.
‘People are pickpocketed for their American or English passport, then to return to their country they have to go to the embassy in […] Rome.’
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‘This incurs additional expenses for them, so it is better to prevent this by warning tourists of the problem.’
Her videos typically involve her screaming ‘Attenzione, pickpocket!’ at suspected thieves, most of whom flee the scene or attempt to cover their face with bags or clothing.
Poli claims she has never been asked to stop by police, but runs a physical risk for her actions, adding she was once attacked by a group of women who fell foul of her vigilantism.
She asserts that politics does not influence their objective, which is to help local law enforcement whenever possible.
But her critics have taken to social media in dissent, alleging her ‘sixth sense’ – something Poli told The New York Times helps her to recognise petty thieves – is just an excuse to target marginalised communities.
Poli’s signature cry of ‘attenzione pickpocket!’ quickly became a catchphrase, and her videos, posted on the social media accounts of the group Cittadini Non Distratti (‘undistracted citizens’) were remixed into dance tracks and used to mock everyday scenarios, like animals trying to nibble their owners’ food
‘Her “I just know!!” is just racism, you have to understand that “Pickpocket” is THE number one stereotype of Roma in Europe,’ one said.
‘It’s horrible seeing how few people can/will recognise racism when it’s aimed at romani people. Nobody is questioning how she knows a ‘pickpocket’ by sight? She’s just doing it to get more people associating romani looks with theft and crime, on tiktok so it spreads further,’ another added.
A member of Venice’s Police union discouraged Internet users from repeating Poli’s tactics.
‘It’s forbidden to put these recordings on the internet,’ Diego Brentani told Deutsche Welle, warning of the potential dangers of minors involving themselves in the trend.
Mr Brentani said citizens should not get physical with presumed pickpockets, and should presume innocence unless they are caught in the act.
He added: ‘Especially if they are minors. It’s forbidden to get physical—even if the people concerned are known pickpocketers. As long as they are not caught red-handed, the presumption of innocence applies.’
But the union also acknowledged that ‘Venice police have their hands full, and welcome help from the volunteers.’
