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For those who’re planning a visit to Europe you’ve undoubtedly been warned concerning the hazard of pickpockets. You will need to be vigilant as a result of 1000’s of vacationers are victims of pickpockets every year—nobody needs to spend their hard-earned trip canceling their bank cards, changing their passports, and discovering various means to entry cash.
Fortunately, there are various issues you are able to do to discourage your self from turning into a pickpocketing sufferer. This information will clarify the place pickpockets work, who they aim, the completely different strategies they use, and methods to guard your self.
The Most In style Cities for Pickpockets
Whereas pickpockets could be present in practically any metropolis, the most important concentrations are in cities that entice probably the most vacationers (no shock there).
Here’s a checklist of pickpocket hotspots in Europe:
- Barcelona, Spain
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- Madrid, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Florence, Italy
- London, England
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
However don’t suppose that pickpocketing solely happens in large cities. I’ve a pal who even had his pockets stolen in a small city in Switzerland.
Who Are Pickpockets?
Most individuals assume pickpockets are sketchy-looking males, however numerous pickpockets are literally younger women and boys—normally round 10-16 years previous. Most vacationers don’t suspect {that a} younger little one would steal from them in order that they let their guard down.
Moreover, police can’t actually arrest minors, and most don’t journey with any identification, so even when they’re caught the police normally should allow them to go. Different occasions, pickpockets are well-dressed and also you’d by no means count on them to be thieves.
Pickpockets virtually all the time work in teams. One or two individuals will do one thing to distract you whereas one other member tries to take your stuff.
As soon as the theft has occurred, the thief who stole the merchandise will typically hand it off to another person and so they’ll all run in separate instructions. This makes it very onerous to trace the perpetrator.
The place Do Pickpockets Goal?
It’s no shock that almost all thieves goal locations which can be busy/chaotic and have a whole lot of vacationers.
Listed below are a number of spots the place you need to be further vigilant:
High Vacationers Points of interest
Whether or not it’s the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Trevi Fountain in Rome, or Charles Bridge in Prague, it isn’t a shock that pickpockets hand around in busy vacationer spots. Naturally, vacationers are extra involved about viewing the sights and taking photographs than taking note of their environment.
Public Transportation
Subways and metropolis buses are prime spots for pickpockets—and after residing in Paris, I’ve seen my share of pickpockets on the Paris Metro. Public transportation is a good place for a pickpocket as a result of it’s typically very crowded and it’s straightforward for thieves to create confusion.
Pickpockets usually goal giant metro/subway stations the place many transit traces converge as a result of it offers them loads of locations to exit in the event that they’re being chased.
Pay further consideration throughout rush hour occasions and on routes that result in the preferred vacationer sights.
Museums
Europe’s hottest museums swell to most capability (particularly throughout the summer season) and there are sure to be a number of pickpockets among the many lot. Whereas the admission worth deters most pickpockets, it doesn’t cease all of them from preying on unsuspecting guests who’re merely having fun with the artwork.
The truth is, in 2013, the employees on the Louvre in Paris went on strike as a result of the pickpockets had been getting so unhealthy.
Prepare Stations
Prepare stations are giant, crowded, and filled with confused vacationers with their palms filled with cumbersome baggage—which is strictly the type of setting pickpockets love.
Eating places, Cafés, and Bars
Many individuals let their guard down once they’re having fun with a meal or a drink, so it’s straightforward for a criminal to sneakily snatch a handbag from the again of a chair or a cell phone from the highest of a desk.
Be sure you by no means depart your cellphone on the desk or your bag/purse unattended.
The Seaside
Take note of your stuff while you’re on the seaside. Don’t depart your bag unattended or out of sight as a result of there’s a good likelihood somebody would possibly snatch it up. The seashores in Barcelona are particularly recognized for pickpockets.
Retail Shops
Clothes and malls in Europe can get extraordinarily crowded—particularly across the holidays. These are straightforward locations for pickpockets to focus on vacationers who are normally carrying some huge cash.
The Sneaky Methods Pickpockets Use To Steal Your Stuff
Distraction is the one tactic that every one pickpockets use. They wish to distract your consideration simply lengthy sufficient to take your stuff. The next strategies are well-known ways in which pickpockets and thieves steal from vacationers.
“Charity” Employee with Clipboards
This rip-off could be very in style in Paris. It practically all the time includes a bunch of younger women with clipboards. They’ll strategy you and level to a clipboard whereas signaling that they’re deaf and mute. They need you to signal a petition for charity. For those who signal, they’ll ask for a donation to the charity. After all, the “charity” is faux — in truth, the cash typically goes to those women’ “boss” (i.e. human traffickers). Whereas the vacationer is signing/studying the petition, there may be typically an confederate attempting to pickpocket the sufferer.
Crowd the Metro
The metro (subway) trains can get very crowded. A standard tactic is for a bunch of 4-6 youngsters to push on a crowded practice shortly earlier than the doorways shut and crowd their goal. They’ll swipe what they’re attempting to steal after which all of them hop off proper because the doorways start to shut. By the point the sufferer realizes what occurred, it’s too late and the practice has already left the station.
At all times be cautious when a bunch of individuals crowds onto an already busy metro automotive. Even be cautious of anybody who’s standing very near you on a practice that isn’t crowded, as they is perhaps as much as no good.
Sidewalk Cafe Seize
Pay further consideration to your cellphone and purse/bag everytime you’re consuming or consuming at a restaurant. Pay double consideration while you’re at a sidewalk cafe as this is without doubt one of the most typical locations to get your stuff swiped.
Metro Smartphone Seize
Individuals are inclined to zone out whereas they’re speaking or texting on their telephones. Be very cautious about utilizing your cellphone should you’re standing close to the door of a subway automotive. Thieves will attain in and snatch your cellphone proper because the doorways shut.
Assist with Your Bag
Some metro stations have a lot of stairs so “good samaritans” will seize ahold of your suitcase that can assist you carry it up the steps. This normally takes individuals off guard just a little and that is when their pal reaches into your purse or pocket. There are literally a whole lot of good individuals who will provide to assist carry a heavy suitcase, however they’ll ask you earlier than grabbing onto your bag.
Bump and Carry
While you’re surrounded by crowds, it isn’t unusual to unintentionally stumble upon different individuals. Nonetheless, this can be a widespread transfer carried out by pickpockets, so if somebody bumps into you, it is perhaps sensible to take a fast stock of your belongings.
Escalator Backup
Escalators are one other space that pickpockets goal as a result of it’s straightforward to create chaos. With this rip-off, there will probably be one or two individuals in entrance of the goal and some others behind the goal. Somebody close to the highest of the escalator will cease proper once they get off and this may create an enormous backup of individuals attempting to get off. Because the backup happens, the individuals behind the goal will attain into the goal’s bag/pocket and hand off the products to one in every of his buddies behind him. I’ve additionally seen it the place they’ve handed off the products to somebody on the other escalator, so it’s virtually inconceivable to chase them.
Newspaper/Map Distraction
A standard pickpocket tactic includes utilizing a big map or a newspaper to cowl the goal’s line of sight to take issues out of their bag. They’ll typically shove the map in your face, level to part of the map, after which their pal will attain underneath the paper so you may’t see what they’re taking. It is a quite common approach that individuals steal cell phones from tables.
ATM Confusion
At all times watch out when utilizing the ATM — particularly while you’re alone. When you’re within the strategy of withdrawing cash, a bunch of beggars will strategy you from behind to attempt to get your consideration. They could pull in your arm or shove a chunk of paper in entrance of the display screen. For those who flip towards one of many thieves, one other one will slip in from the opposite aspect and press the button for the utmost amount of money. Then they’ll swipe the cash and run away.
Additionally, remember to cowl up your PIN code while you enter it. Some thieves will attempt to see your code (some even use hidden cameras) after which they’ll observe you round for an opportunity to steal your card.
Ticket Machines Dupe
At all times be just a little leery of people that attempt that can assist you at ticket machines. I do know some individuals who obtained scammed in Paris by a well-dressed man who “helped” them purchase Metro tickets. The guests needed to purchase two 5-day passes, which value about 30€/every, so the person provided to make use of his bank card as a result of he instructed them Australian playing cards don’t work within the machines. He mentioned that they may simply pay him in money.
He did purchase the tickets… however he purchased them a one-way little one’s ticket (which appears similar to a 5-day cross) that prices about 1€ and he pocketed 60€ in money from them.
The Useful Vacationer
Don’t let pickpockets benefit from your good nature. On this rip-off, one of many scammers will drop one thing in entrance of you and when you’re serving to them decide up the mess, the opposite pickpocket will swoop in and elevate one thing out of your bag. That doesn’t imply you may’t assist your fellow man, however simply watch out about your personal stuff whereas doing it.
Slashed Bag
Whereas uncommon, some pickpockets don’t even trouble attempting to steal your bag and they’ll merely slash it open with a knife. Pacsafe makes a variety of slash-proof baggage for further safety.
Turnstile Stall
Busy turnstiles are a typical space for pickpockets to strike. As you’re approaching a turnstile, one individual will reduce in entrance of you after which proceed to cease (they could faux that the machine isn’t working) and their companion will come up behind you — primarily trapping you between the 2 of them. The individual within the again will elevate one thing out of your bag or pocket whereas his companion within the entrance is fumbling with the turnstile.
Scooter Snatch and Run
Whereas not tremendous widespread, some thieves will drive up on a scooter, snatch a bag from the sufferer’s shoulder, after which journey off into the sundown. I wouldn’t be too fearful about this method, however it may possibly occur.
Avenue Performances
Many road performances entice giant crowds of vacationers—which might typically entice loads of pickpockets as properly (generally they’re all working collectively).
Faux Battle
A big group of males would possibly begin a “battle” round a vacationer, and in all of the commotion one of many males will try and pickpocket the goal.
Who Do Pickpockets Goal?
Anybody could be a potential goal of a pickpocket, however they do have a tendency to focus on sure forms of individuals. Pickpockets will all the time search for the best goal as a result of they don’t need a confrontation.
Vacationers
Duh, proper? However vacationers = cash to pickpockets. For those who seem like a vacationer, you’re routinely going to be singled out. Try my article on easy methods to not gown like a vacationer in Europe.
Individuals With a Lot of Baggage
You’re going to be a chief goal for a pickpocket if you’re pulling alongside two large suitcases and have a backpack. You received’t be capable of watch over all of your issues since you might have a lot stuff and also you’re a slow-moving goal.
So pack gentle!
Try my Backpacking Europe Packing Record and Journey Europe Packing Record for Girls to get some tips about packing gentle and see my information to the finest journey backpacks to see my favourite journey baggage.
Guests from Asia
Asian guests (particularly Chinese language) are a best choice for pickpockets as a result of many Chinese language vacationers are very rich. Moreover, numerous Chinese language residents don’t have quick access to credit score and debit playing cards in order that they carry giant quantities of money—and thieves know this.
So even should you’re not Chinese language, however have Asian heritage, you would possibly wish to be particularly cautious because you is perhaps extra more likely to be focused.
Individuals Who Flash Valuables
Strolling alone at evening whereas utilizing your iPhone? Don’t be shocked if somebody takes it from you.
Trusting Individuals
From all my travels, I’ve hardly ever met a extra pleasant bunch than the Australians. I’ve additionally by no means met one other group of people that’ve been victims of pickpockets extra typically than Australians. I feel the individuals who suppose everybody else round them is sweet and useful are those who get taken benefit of most frequently.
How To Shield Your self From Pickpockets
For those who’ve made it this far, you is perhaps pondering that there are millions of pickpockets attempting to rob each vacationer in Europe. However that isn’t the case and also you’ll hardly ever have any issues should you take a number of further precautions.
Additionally it is necessary to do not forget that precise violent crime is low in Europe so there’s a very low likelihood of something occurring to you.
On this part, we’ll speak concerning the steps you may take to keep away from turning into a sufferer.
Pickpocket-Proof Journey Clothes
Corporations are beginning to make journey clothes security measures which can be nice for deterring would-be thieves.
Certainly one of my favourite manufacturers of anti-theft journey clothes is Bluffworks — they make journey pants, and, journey vests even journey fits which have hidden-zippered pockets. And, better of all, all their merchandise seem like regular clothes that you simply’d put on day-after-day however are made out of high-tech materials.
Bluffworks additionally has modern ladies’s anti-theft journey clothes that’s price trying out.
Pickpocket-Proof Luggage
If you wish to be further protected, you will get your self a specifically designed “pickpocket-proof” backpack, bag, or purse.
The preferred anti-theft baggage are made by Pacsafe. Their baggage have tamper-proof zippers, cut-proof straps, anchored straps, and a slash-proof steel mesh sewn into the bag.
Zippered Purse
Among the finest methods to maintain your valuables safe is to have a handbag/bag with a zipper. I like to recommend maintaining valuables in inside zipped compartments if doable.
Put on a Cash Belt
A cash belt is without doubt one of the most safe methods to hold valuables like more money and your passport. Nonetheless, many vacationers make the error of pondering that they need to use their cash belt like a pockets — nevertheless it isn’t meant for that.
Ideally, it is best to hold the cash and debit/bank cards that you simply’re going to want for the day in your pockets after which hold all further money and perhaps a backup bank card within the cash belt. The cash belt ought to be worn underneath your garments and ought to be pretty inconvenient to entry (to discourage thieves).
There are a number of kinds of cash belts out there:
- Across the Waist — That is the standard fashion of cash belt. You put on it underneath your shirt and round your waist.
- Across the Neck — Cash belts that cling round your neck are one other good choice. These are lots simpler to entry (particularly should you put on them underneath a button-up shirt).
- Hidden Pocket — These hidden pocket cash belts are good as a result of they tuck into your pant leg and I feel they’re extra snug than one which goes round your waist.
- Belt with Pocket — For those who simply wish to stash some money, you should use a belt with a hidden pocket built-in.
Restrict What You Carry
Pickpockets can’t steal what you don’t have—fairly easy. That’s the reason I favor to hold little or no whereas I’m sightseeing. I particularly suggest not carrying a whole lot of money.
Safe Your Bag/Backpack
Your bag or backpack might be probably the most susceptible space that pickpockets love to focus on. Backpacks are particularly susceptible as a result of you may’t see if somebody is attempting to get into it. Listed below are some suggestions for securing your bag.
- Put on Your Bag Backwards — On crowded public transportation, lots of people put on their baggage backward as a result of this permits them to keep watch over them.
- Lock Your Bag’s Zippers — At a minimal, you’ll wish to lock your zippers. You don’t want something fancy — a easy baggage lock will work properly.
- Use A Sling Backpack — Sling backpacks are good as a result of they keep near your physique and they are often slung over your chest simply if wanted. They do are usually small, so that you’ll have hassle should you plan on carrying a whole lot of stuff with you. Right here is an instance of a sling backpack, however there are various kinds out there.
- Safe Your Bag To An Immovable Object — While you’re at a restaurant, loop your bag’s strap round your leg or your chair leg so somebody can’t come by and swipe the bag. Equally, it’s sensible to safe your bag to a chair or baggage rack when you’re on a practice — particularly on in a single day trains. A retractable cable lock will present sufficient safety to discourage most thieves however looping it round your chair is far simpler.
Preserve Your Pockets in Entrance Pocket
Loads of guys hold their wallets of their again pockets, however that is an especially straightforward goal for a pickpocket. And that’s the reason it’s advisable to maintain your pockets in your entrance pocket. I extremely suggest getting a brilliant skinny pockets as a result of a cumbersome pockets feels very unusual in your entrance pocket — and it appears type of dumb. The Huge Skinny Multi-Pocket Bifold Pockets will get a whole lot of nice opinions for having a low profile.
Preserve Your Telephone Off The Desk
Smartphones are a brilliant in style merchandise for pickpockets to focus on. Many individuals merely depart it on the desk whereas they’re consuming, which makes it straightforward for somebody to come and snatch it up.
Cut up Up Your Valuables
Unfold out your valuables so that you’ll restrict any injury should you do occur to get pickpocketed. For instance, I’ll hold my bank card in my pockets however I’ll put a backup bank card in my baggage. And I’ll break up up my money between my pockets and bag so I don’t danger dropping the whole lot.
Closing Ideas About Pickpockets In Europe
The probabilities of you getting pickpocketed whereas touring in Europe are low however it may possibly occur. The truth is, Italy stories 463 mentions of pickpocketing per a million guests and France has 283 mentions per a million guests so it’s statistically uncommon.
The actual key’s to not make your self a goal since pickpockets all the time wish to discover the best goal doable. So be vigilant and take a number of further steps that I’ve outlined on this information and also you’ll have an excellent journey.
And whereas we’re as regards to security, take a look at my information to widespread journey scams in Europe to be taught different methods scammers attempt to benefit from vacationers.
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the creator of the e-book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Price range”. He is been running a blog about price range journey in Europe since 2010.
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Thanks For Studying! — James
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