TikTok has been the home of all sorts of trends for quite some time now – from quirky recipes, cleaning hacks and guides on the best things to see and do in the UK.

But if you have been scrolling through the app lately looking for the latest gossip on celebrities or even just to find out how to clean your car properly, you might have come across the “attenzione pickpocket” trend.

Users of the social media app have come across multiple videos of a woman shouting “attenzione pickpocket” but what does it mean and how did it come about?

@cittadininondistratti2 #VENEZIA #CITTADININONDISTRATTI #BORSEGGIATORI #pickpockets #PICKPOCKETS #BORSEGGIATRICI #cittadininondistratti #VENICE ♬ suono originale - WE ARE BACK

What is the TikTok trend 'attenzione pickpocket'?

The topical clips came around when account @cittadininondistratti2 posted a video of a lady in Venice, Italy who repeatedly shouted the Italian phrase when she spotted devious thieves snooping around tourists looking to steal their belongings, reports the Express.

“Attenzione pickpocket” means “attention, pickpocket” and was being yelled to warn people.

The account @cittadininondistratti2, meaning “citizens not distracted” was originally suspended but it soon returned in June to give the people what they want – it has gathered 352.7k followers since.

The human behind the account is 57-year-old Monica who has been part of the “40-strong group of disturbance against pickpockets for 30 years”, the Express said.

Recently speaking to Newsweek, Monica said: “We decided to make our videos go viral to inform tourists to be careful.

@__bananathecat I know we already used this video, but it fit the souldn so we reposted. #attenzione #pickpocket #bananathecat #catsoftiktok ♬ original sound - user2117519005342

“There is a lack of prevention and information about what is happening in the city and we are all happy that these videos are letting people see the problem in Venice and throughout Italian cities.”

But as always, users of TikTok have now taken their own spin on things, shouting the phrase “attenzione pickpocket” for the likes of cats stealing food and numerous other editions.

Some have been creating memes on Twitter, with one person posting: “Instinctively shouting ATTENZIONE PICKPOCKET when I see Ticketmaster adding fees on to ticket prices.”

Another wrote: “The temptation to shout ATTENZIONE PICKPOCKET in any crowded situation is so strong at this point.”

Have you shouted “attenzione pickpocket” in public yet?