In just three months, the number of pickpockets held in the Delhi Metro has exceeded that of six months of 2013, and 94% of them were female.The CISF says that’s because of increased security, but if you’re a woman, hold on to your handbag tightly.If you’re a woman and a frequent commuter on the Metro, chances are, you always prefer the pink compartment. However, while it reduces the likelihood of you being groped or leched at, you’re probably trading that safety for an increased chance of you losing your money or belongings. Recent figures by the CISF (The Central Industrial Security Force, which is responsible for the security of the Delhi Metro) say that in just three months (January to March), 126 pickpockets were held, of which 118 were women. Ergo, more women are nicking pockets on the metro than men, and they’re mostly targeting women.In 2013, the CISF caught 193 pickpockets in six months, and 91% (175) of them were female. In 2014, in three months (January to March), 126 pickpockets have been held, of which 94% (118) were female.According to the spokesperson of the CISF (Metro), “The increase in this figure should not be considered an increase in instances of pickpocketing in the Metro. This data also includes suspected pickpockets. In fact, the increased figure shows how vigilant we are in our drive against pickpockets. The number of Metro commuters has increased, and so has the number of women passengers.”“Because of larger crowds, pickpockets think they can get away easily, and they mainly target women passengers. But we brief our staff about already-identified pickpockets. If we spot them, we ask them questions like where they are going, where are they coming from, etc. If they come under suspicion, we don’t allow them to board the Metro,” adds the CISF spokesperson. The CISF also deploys their women officers in civvies so to spot pickpockets easily.Earlier, we told you what the Metro’s Dilliwali pickpockets look like – they’re fluent in English, dress in formals and even carry laptop bags, making them look like any other working woman. The rise in such cases only shows how a casual commute might mean losing cash and valuables for anyone. Female passengers tell us how they were cleaned out without even a hint of something going on, so that you can be more careful the next time you take the Metro.I usually go in the pink compartment. Not because it is safer or something, but because while returning in the evening, the Metro gets so crowded that boarding the general compartment only means inviting inappropriate touches. Recently, when I was at Rajeev Chowk station, I realized that my purse wasn’t in my bag. When I started looking for it, I was shocked to see that my bag had a cut. I don’t even remember how or when it happened. It was literally jeb katna. The ladies’ compartment was so crowded that everyone was stepping on each other. All I remember is two-three girls leaning on me, and it was so crowded that despite asking them to move, they couldn’t. I think it was they who cut my bag.– Priyanka Singh, 23, web developerDespite so many cameras and security guards at Rajeev Chowk station, that’s where I lost my phone. I think it was during boarding time, when everyone moves ahead in queue while de-boarding passengers keep pushing others. I don’t usually keep my phone in my back pocket, but that day, I had too many things in my hands and so, I did. I was pushed around badly. When I finally boarded, I thought of calling my friend to inform her what time I’d get to her place. It was then that I realized I’d lost my phone. Someone helped themselves to it on the platform.– Divya Sharma, 26, engineerI have this habit of starting a conversation with anyone in the Metro. I get bored, and I can’t pretend to be busy with my phone. Once, in the ladies’ compartment, this girl smiled at me and I returned her smile. Then she asked me where I was going, and this is how we started talking to each other. I thought she was very sweet. She boarded at Yamuna Bank, and was with me till Mandi House. In this span of ten minutes, she took my wallet. She was behind me when I was getting off at Mandi House. It was crowded and I could feel a hand on my back. When I turned around, she simply said sorry and smiled. When I came out and took an auto, I discovered that I didn’t have my wallet. Since then, I either try to stand in such a way that no one is behind me, or if it’s too crowded, I keep checking my bag and wallet.– Nivedita Batra, 17, studentI’m afraid of crowds ever since I lost an entire month’s salary. Since I have a part-time job, I don’t get paid through cheque, but cash. I was carrying `8,000, and I thought it would be safe to be in the women’s compartment to avoid any untoward incident. I never realized when someone cut my bag and not a single penny was left. I don’t understand how these pickpockets find out where we keep the money. My only mistake was that I was excitedly telling my friend that we’d party with this salary.– Neha Bharadwaj, 24, content writerI was returning from a shopping trip in GK, and I took the Metro because I wanted to avoid traffic. I was in the pink coach and had put my shopping bag on the floor. A girl in formals was getting off at Patel Chowk, and she picked my bag up and started walking ahead! When I shouted after her that it was my bag, she started to walk faster. I also got off the Metro and ran after her, and told the guards. When the guards caught her, she casually said, “Sorry, I didn’t realize I had picked up the wrong bag,” and just walked away.– Sakshi Tiwari, medical studentOnce, on the platform, all the women were standing in queue while this one girl wasn’t. She was strolling around. Two trains came and went but she didn’t board any. I asked her where she was going, and she said she was waiting for someone. I observed her for another half-an-hour, and then asked her to leave and wait outside the station. Her behaviour showed that her intentions were suspect.– A security guard at the CentralI was in civvies and was patrolling on the blue line to check possible pickpocketing. I was in the women’s compartment, when some women started shouting. They had all surrounded a girl and were accusing her of theft. I had to intervene and check her bag, and it had some money. It was a small amount and the girl whose money it was didn’t want to register any complaint. So, after giving her a warning, I let that girl go.– A CISF officer