Bag-snatchers have evolved into a more sophisticated breed of thief — well-dressed and polite, police warned yesterday, adding that attacks on ATM customers were also on the rise.

Muggers usually travel in pairs or threes and choose busy areas such as trains or large stores to target potential victims, Athens officer Leonidas Piskotakis told Kathimerini. “Often the men wear a suit or use well-dressed female accomplices so as not to arouse suspicion,” he said.

Motorists are advised not to leave bags on the passenger seat and pedestrians should carry their bags facing into the sidewalk.

Muggings have eased off since the summer but attacks on bank ATM customers have risen, Piskotakis said. “Usually, there are three. One watches, the second grabs the purse and the third steps in to avert an intervention.”