Why?

(Try to find out what feelings and needs are alive in the other person: empathic resonance)

Are you feeling anxious/insecure/ fearful?
Do you need safety/ protection?
I guess what you are saying is that you are feeling anxious/insecure/ fearful in the presence of North-Africans. You need safety/protection because you have the impression there are too many pickpockets among them. Is that correct?

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What if?

(‘Mirror questions’: how would it be if you were standing in the shoes of that person)

Do you know North-Africans in your neighbourhood? How do you think they are feeling when they are seen as pickpockets?
Have you yourself ever been accused of something like pick pocking? How does that feel?

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Self-reflection

(Questions you can ask yourself in silence to support yourself in understanding the other person)

How important is safety/ protection for me?
When do I have the need for it?
How do I feel when this need is not fulfilled?

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Empowerment

(More information on the issue and tips how to explore the problem and continue the discussion)

North Africans have not chosen their origin or their appearance. North Africa is home to a total of almost 180 million men, women, and children. The vast majority of them are, of course, no pickpockets, just like people in other parts of the world. The same applies, of course, to the North Africans who live in Europe.
Pickpocketing is indeed a problem wherever many people are crowded together: in public places, train stations, and airports, at tourist hot-spots. Precautions and attention are the best way to counter pickpockets - everywhere.