When I was in a puddle of misery after the backpack was gone, a lot of locals clustered around us to find out why I was crying (these ones, at least, were sincere). A few of them mentioned that I was lucky not to stabbed — apparently thieves will come up behind someone, stab them with a small knife, and run off as the person collapses. So it didn't happen to us, but apparently violence is used as well.