September 25, 2025
Brazilian and Dog Protect London’s Streets from Pickpockets
Brazilian and Dog Protect London’s Streets from Pickpockets
Pickpocket London. A camera. And a dog named Lyla. On our blog, Diego Galdino shares why he began documenting thefts.
In recent months, videos from the Brazilian Diego Galdino have gone viral, exposing pickpockets on the streets of London. Born in Paraná, southern Brazil, Diego moved to the UK in 2019, after falling in love with the city during a brief exchange in 2017. Diego carries his camera to capture the city’s everyday life, and in doing so, ended up witnessing daily theft in London.
In order to bring awareness and ensure safety to the city, Diego began recording and posting theft videos online. On his adventures, he’s not always alone and has a furry friend who accompanies him on his journey.
This brave initiative is reminiscent of the Japanese anime Samurai Flamenco, where the main character is a hero with no powers, yet determined to bring justice and fight crime in the city.
Diego shared his story with us.
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How did the initiative to expose pickpockets in London come about?
“I’ve always had a very sharp instinct for observing what happens around me. I’m a more introverted, analytical person, and this has led me to develop a natural perception for identifying strange intentions and behaviours on the streets. I carry a camera with me daily, both to capture everyday situations in London, a city always full of energy, and for personal and professional safety. Over time, I began to catch thefts happening right in front of my eyes. At first, I shared these recordings only on my private Instagram account, but my friends always encouraged me to create a public profile. I hesitated at first, as I never saw myself as someone who shared their lives on social media.
But since no one was doing this work in London, I decided to create dedicated profiles on TikTok and Instagram. And the feedback was immediate: the videos went viral, millions of views, and many people began to understand the extent of the pickpocketing problem in the city. Nowadays, tourists arrive in London already aware of the risks and prepared thanks to the content. That’s the goal: to give visibility and alert people.”
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In some videos, you appear with a dog. Can you tell us more about that?
“My passion for police dogs has been with me since childhood. My father gave me a Belgian Shepherd when I was a kid, and I grew up with him until I was 16. Since then, I’ve always had a strong bond with the breed and a special admiration for working dogs.
Here in London, since housing is often in flats or shared houses, it wasn’t feasible to have a dog. But by coincidence, I started going to a bakery near my house where I always saw a trainer passing by with Malinois dogs. I became friends with him and other people who work as dog sitters and walkers, and they quickly noticed my genuine passion for this breed.
That’s how Lyla came into my life, she is trained by military personnel. The trainer trusted me to look after her on a few occasions, and today I can say I’m practically her godfather. Lyla is an absolutely docile, reliable, and obedient dog, but at the same time, she shows respect and security. When she’s with me on the streets, she helps deter risky situations and is always alert by my side. I don’t usually take her on every “hunt” because I don’t want it to seem like she’s being used directly for that purpose, but when I do take her, I feel she’s more than a companion — she’s a partner, almost like a guardian angel by my side.”
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In what ways do you identify the anime character Samurai Flamenco, who fights for justice in the city?
“I confess that my inspiration didn’t come directly from Samurai Flamenco, but I see many parallels between his story and mine.
Like Hazama, I don’t have superpowers or special equipment, just the determination and courage to face risky situations in the name of justice. He starts alone, facing the difficulties of being seen as a “real” hero; I also started that way, just recording with my camera what I saw, until my work gained strength and visibility.
The character has a robot dog as an ally. I have Lyla, a real, trained dog who accompanies and protects me, almost like a patrol partner. Interestingly, I’ve thought about buying a robot dog to complement this work, and if that ever happens, it will definitely be named Flamenco Diamond, in honour of the anime.
I don’t consider myself a superhero, but I identify with the central idea: an ordinary person who, through persistence and a sense of justice, transforms into a symbol and inspires others to open their eyes.”
For official guidance on avoiding pickpockets in London, see the Metropolitan Police’s advice. If you witness a crime, do not intervene—report it. When attending crowded areas with dogs, monitor stress signals and maintain control to keep your dog and others safe.
While Diego’s story isn’t just about chasing villains, it can be seen as everyday courage, with a camera, and a dog who lends quiet authority to the streets she pads along. What began as one man’s habit of paying attention has become a public service: videos that make tourists savvier, locals alert, and pickpockets less invisible.
You can follow Diego on Instagram @pickpocketlondon and on TikTok @pickpocketlondon
and Lyla @adventure_oflyla
Author Bio
Hi there! I’m Gabi A.C, a Brazilian girl in my early 20s, now based in Sydney. I’m a curious soul who is passionate about literature, animals, travel and crafting. You’ll usually find me in a cosy café or wandering around taking pictures with my little Cyber-shot.