Going out to World Cup festivities? Watch out for distraction theft, warn Toronto police
There have been 40 reported incidents of distraction theft in the city this year
Toronto police are advising residents to watch out for distraction theft around the city.
According to police, distraction theft is a tactic wherein “the victim’s attention is diverted in order to steal something, usually valuables like a wallet, purse, phone or jewelry.” Thieves may pretend they need directions, “accidentally” spill something on the victim, or drop something on the ground to occupy the victim’s attention. Thieves often work in coordinated groups.
Related: Toronto police have seized $3.5 million in counterfeit sports merchandise ahead of the World Cup
At a press conference this week, police superintendent Ron Taverner told reporters that in 2025, there were 102 reported incidents of distraction theft in Toronto. This year, there have been 40 so far.
“As Toronto prepares to welcome visitors from around the world during the FIFA World Cup, it’s important that residents and visitors alike remain aware of their surroundings and, in particular, in busy public spaces,” Taverner said, adding that, “these suspects often rely on the kindness, politeness and trust of others to create the opportunities to steal.”
Related: The TTC will use drones to monitor World Cup crowds
Carly Lewis is a journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times and the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Wired, Interview Magazine, Pitchfork, Elle, and Maclean’s, where she is a contributing editor. Her work has been recognized by the National Magazine Awards and the Digital Publishing Awards. She reports on city life, culture—including what people do online—politics, art and crime. She received the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Award for “The Murder of Ashley Wadsworth,” an investigative feature about a Canadian teenager who was killed by a man she met on social media, published by Maclean’s.
