pickpocketDPA DEUTSCHE PRESS-AGENTUR/DPA/Press Association Images

If you were out and about and greeted by a friendly person who just can't contain their enthusiasm and wanted to give you a hug, you might be flattered. You might be filled with a sense of the innate loveliness of the human race.

And you might be in the process of being mugged by a 'hugger mugger'.

New threat

It's a bizarre new crime threat being highlighted by police in Manchester and reported in the Daily Mail. The first reports emerged in the summer, but the figures ramped up over Christmas.

They say there have been 11 of these unusual muggings reported over the festive period. However, they point out that the number could be far higher because people aren't connecting the hugging with the mugging: they just think they met someone very lovely and then lost their wallet in the street.

There's a fair chance they connected both things with having a drop or two of liquid refreshment that evening.

Protect yourself

Greater Manchester Police say they are being vigilant, and that they are using plain clothes police officers and CCTV to catch the criminals. They have made a number of arrests and the first guilty verdict has already been handed down.

However, the best defence is to be on your guard.

Of course it's easy to assume that someone is just being friendly, and responding to your animal magnetism. However, it's far safer to assume they have designs on your belongings, and either dodge their dodgy embrace, or make sure you keep your hand on your valuables at all times.