Strategies to Ward off Thieves: Essential Maneuvers for Your Safety
Top Cities with High Rates of Pickpocketing: A Traveler's Guide
Traveling can be an exciting experience, but it's important to be aware of potential dangers, especially in crowded tourist hotspots. One such danger is pickpocketing, which is particularly prevalent in certain cities across the globe. Here's a rundown of the top cities where pickpocketing is a concern, along with some tips to help you stay safe.
European Cities
Rome, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona top the list of cities with high rates of pickpocketing. Rome, for instance, reported over 33,000 pickpocketing cases in 2024 alone, with a sharp increase in crime over recent years. Paris is notorious for pickpocketing near major tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Champs-Elysées. In Barcelona, the busiest tourist areas such as Las Ramblas, the metro, Sagrada Família, Plaza Catalunya, and Ciutadella Park are notorious pickpocket hotspots.
The common tactics used by pickpockets in these cities include distractions, crowding, and physical distractions. High tourist density, crowded places, and frequent use of distraction techniques make these locations prone to pickpocketing.
Global Hotspots
Besides Europe, cities like Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hanoi, Vietnam, Athens, Greece, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Prague, Czech Republic also have a significant number of pickpocketing incidents. Train stations, museums, retail stores/markets, bars, and even beaches are common locations for these crimes.
Prevention Tips
To protect yourself, it's crucial to be hyper-aware of your pockets and bag when someone enters your personal zone, typically only let people you are close to enter this zone. Men can prevent pickpockets from reaching in and pulling out credit cards or cash by wrapping a rubber band around their wallet or using a zippered wallet. Consider investing in a bag with cut-resistant straps or chains.
The "Junk Bag Trick", "Loud Phone Dodge", and "Fake Wallet Win" are decoy moves that can help deter pickpockets. The first involves carrying a cheap crossbody bag with a busted phone and crumpled receipts while your real valuables are hidden in a money belt. The second involves clipping a $5 burner phone to your belt, set to blare a ringtone if yanked. The third involves stuffing an old wallet with expired gift cards and a "screw you" note, keeping it in your back pocket, and hiding your real cash in a neck pouch.
When traveling on public transportation, it's essential to keep a tight hold on your belongings when approaching stops. Be aware of individuals moving quickly through a train, especially those with no bags, as they may be pickpockets. Many pickpocketed items are not reported due to the stealthy nature of pickpockets.
Remember, wearing a bag with the strap wrapped around your body is harder for pickpockets to steal compared to bags hanging loosely. Lastly, be mindful of individuals who might approach you under the guise of taking your picture, pretending you dropped something, or spilling something on you.
In summary, if traveling to Europe’s major tourist hubs, especially Rome, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona, one should exercise extreme caution in crowded tourist hotspots, particularly in and around public transport and famous landmarks. When traveling to other parts of the world, it's essential to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings to avoid becoming a victim of pickpocketing.
[1] https://www.thelocal.it/20220201/pickpocketing-cases-in-rome-reach-record-highs [2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-crime/italian-police-arrest-16-over-pickpocketing-gang-in-rome-idUSKBN2BZ04S [3] https://www.paris-tourist-info.com/en/useful-info/safety-and-security/pickpocketing [4] https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/pickpocketing-in-barcelona.html [5] https://www.thelocal.es/20190718/how-to-avoid-pickpocketing-in-barcelona
Travelers in European cities like Rome, Paris, Milan, and Barcelona must be cautious about pickpocketing, especially near tourist hotspots and public transportation. In addition to these cities, Buenos Aires, Hanoi, Athens, Amsterdam, Prague, and others also have high rates of pickpocketing, making it crucial for travelers to stay vigilant.
