Thursday, August 20, 2009

Now how nice is this

Just saw on my Yahoo site.


"Putpockets" give a little extra cash

Wed Aug 19, 11:19 am ET

LONDON (Reuters) – Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets, but now there's another, more positive phenomenon on the loose -- putpockets.

Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London's tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.

Anything from 5 pounds ($8) to 20 pound notes is being surreptitiously deposited in unguarded pockets or open handbags in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and other busy spots.

The initiative, which runs until the end of August in London before being rolled out countrywide, is being funded by a broadbrand provider, which says it wants to brighten up people's lives in unusual ways.

"It feels good to give something back for a change -- and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate," said Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who now heads TalkTalk's putpocketing initiative.

"Every time I put money back in someone's pocket, I feel less guilty about the fact I spent many years taking it out."

London's police have been briefed about the plan, which will see at least 100,000 pounds given away.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Kate Kelland)

12 comments:

Patti said...

That's great! Going thru McDonalds one morning, placed my order and proceeded to the 1st window, the girl handed me a business card from the customer just ahead of me, he had paid for my meal and left me a blessing for the day...what a bright spot for my morning.

Jo said...

Wow! What a great idea. Maybe it will catch on worldwide. It's sort of like "pay it forward".

I just read your post about the fellow who passed out -- and I spritzed my coffee all over my computer monitor. Oh, lord-luv-a-duck. *heh*

Sunny said...

that's a great thing they are doing! I love it!

Anonymous said...

That is one way to get even I guess.

Margaret Cloud said...

This is terrific, wish I lived over there, I am with Jo, hope it catches on.

Renie Burghardt said...

Ha! Now there is a novel idea!
Last Christmas there was a guy around here that walked up to complete strangers at the shopping center, and handed them a 5 dollar McDonald's gift certificate. He gave me one. Then he said "Merry Christmas," and walked away. I think it was Santa is diguise. :-)True story.

Hope all is well with you and Abe, Patty.

Renie

Kavita Saharia said...

That's really great...very motivating idea to start my day.Thanks for sharing.

Brenda said...

We could use some more of these feel good stories in the news, couldn't we. Thanks for passing it on..

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

Hi Patty It has been ages since I have been on your blog!I m so busy with things I just cant see straight sometimes.I need to slow down one of these days.
Hope all is good with you and abe!!

Unknown said...

Wow what a great way to brighten up someone's day for sure!

Tomate Farcie said...

Pretty cool! I sure would love it if I found an extra $20 in my pocket that wasn't there before.

Winifred said...

That's nice. I had my purse nicked there once on the Tube. Not a pleasant experience. They were a team from South America apparently so I doubt they'll be involved in this initiative.

It is great to hear about the better things that are happening. The media are full of doom and gloom. Let's hear it for the goodies!