If you find yourself a victim of petty crime in Shanghai you should first contact your local Public Security Bureau (see table, p.26). Sometimes you will find that reporting a small crime is more trouble than it is worth – bike thefts, for example, happen so often and so quickly that by the time a report is made the bike may have already been sold. For more serious crimes it is best to first call your local consulate in Shanghai. It may not be able to intervene directly on your behalf but can at least advise you on your rights and of any available legal counsel you may require. For crimes involving the theft of your credit card make sure you have the number of your card issuer or bank stored separately and call it immediately.­­­­