Why does the speaker say that picking somebody’s pocket is an honorable profession in southeast London?

For twenty-five years I was a full time thief, specializing in picking pockets. In southeast London, that’s an honorable profession.  Anyone can break in a house and steal things, but picking somebody’s pocket takes skill. My sister and I were among the most successful pickpocket teams in London. We worked in hotels’ theater lobbies, airports, shopping centers and restaurants. Now we don’t steal anymore, but this crime is worldwide. Here’s how to protect yourself. Professional pickpockets do not see victims, only handbags, jewels and money. Mothers with babies, the elderly, and the disabled are all fair game. My preferred target was the lone female, the handbag at her side, the right side to be exact. So if I’m next to her, I can reach it cautiously with my right hand across my body. Only about one woman in a thousand carries her bag on the left, and I tended to steer clear of them. Women whose bags are hanging in front of them are tricky for the pickpocket as there isn’t a blind side. If you want to make it even harder, use a bag with handles rather than a strap. For men, one of the best places to keep a wallet is in the back pocket of tight trousers.  You’ll feel any attempts to move it.  Another good place is in the buttoned up inside pocket of a jacket. There is just no way in. Even better, keep wallets attached to a cord or chain that is fastened to a belt. A pickpocket needs targets who are relaxed and off guard. The perfect setting is a clothing store. When customers wander among the racks they are completely absorbed in the items they hold up. The presence of a uniformed security guard is even better. A false sense of security makes a pickpocket’s job much simpler.