What is TikTok’s Attenzione Pickpocket trend? The viral sound explained

A TikTok trend of a woman yelling ‘Attenzione Pickpocket!’ has gone viral on the site, taking the internet by storm. 

It began when TikTok user @cittadininondistratti2 posted a video of a woman in Venice, Italy, who repeatedly yelled the phrase in Italian at pickpockets, with similar posts surfacing throughout 2023. 

But what exactly is the Attenzione Pickpocket trend about? What has the woman behind the trend said about it?

Read on below for everything you need to know about TikTok’s Attenzione Pickpocket trend.  

Their friend can be seen running across the road in fits of laughter, with the clip having been viewed over 1.5million times

What is TikTok’s Attenzione Pickpocket trend? 

In English, ‘Attenzione Pickpocket!’ means ‘Attention Pickpocket!’, with the woman attempting to warn others of the presence of petty thieves. 

The TikTok username ‘Cittadini Non Distratti’, that helped the trend gain popularity, means ‘Citizens not distracted.’

Although the original account was suspended, a second account @cittadininondistratti2 was created, posting videos from June 12 2023, which has seen it amass over 328,000 followers.

The TikTok profile is full of similar videos where the women shout at the pickpockets to ensure anyone passing by does not fall foul of their tricks. 

Venice is one of the most popular tourists destinations in Italy, with millions of people travelling to witness the historic canal city each year.  

What has Attenzione Pickpocket Monica said about the TikTok trend? 

“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,’ 

‘This incurs additional expenses for them, so it is better to prevent this by warning tourists of the problem.’ 

However, a Venice police officer has warned against trying to ward off pickpockets openly, saying it could be fraught with danger.

‘It’s forbidden to put these recordings on the internet,’ Diego Brentani from the Venice Police Union told Deutsche Welle, warning of the potential dangers of minors involving themselves in the trend. 

TikTok user @__bananathecat shared a video, jokingly accusing their cat of being a pickpocket after it almost swiped food from its owner’s plate

Mr Brentani said citizens should not get physical but should presume innocence if they are not caught.

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.’ 

However, the report also added how ‘Venice police have their hands full, and welcome help from the volunteers.’