Learn how to Keep away from Pickpockets in Europe

In case you’re planning a visit to Europe you’ve undoubtedly been warned in regards to the hazard of pickpockets. It is very important be vigilant as a result of 1000’s of vacationers are victims of pickpockets annually—nobody needs to spend their hard-earned trip canceling their bank cards, changing their passports, and discovering different 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 totally different strategies they use, and methods to guard your self.

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The Most Well-liked Cities for Pickpockets

Whereas pickpockets might be present in almost any metropolis, the largest concentrations are in cities that entice essentially the most vacationers (no shock there).

Here’s a record 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 assume that pickpocketing solely happens in massive cities. I’ve a pal who even had his pockets stolen in a small city in Switzerland.

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Who Are Pickpockets?

Most individuals assume pickpockets are sketchy-looking males, however many pickpockets are literally younger women and boys—normally round 10-16 years previous. Most vacationers don’t suspect a younger youngster 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 instances, pickpockets are well-dressed and also you’d by no means anticipate them to be thieves.

Pickpockets nearly 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 usually hand it off to another person they usually’ll all run in separate instructions. This makes it very arduous to trace the wrongdoer.

For slightly enjoyable, take a look at the TikToker who yells “Attenzione pickpocket!” when she spots pickpockets in Italy.

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The place Do Pickpockets Goal?

It’s no shock that the majority thieves goal locations which can be busy/chaotic and have a number of vacationers.

Listed below are a couple of spots the place try to be additional vigilant:

High Vacationers Points of interest

Whether or not 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 images 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 superb place for a pickpocket as a result of it’s usually very crowded and it’s straightforward for thieves to create confusion.

Pickpockets usually goal giant metro/subway stations the place many transit strains converge as a result of it offers them loads of locations to exit in the event that they’re being chased.

Pay additional consideration throughout rush hour and on routes that result in the most well-liked vacationer sights.

Museums

Europe’s hottest museums swell to most capability (particularly throughout the summer season) and there are certain to be a couple 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.

In actual fact, in 2013, staff on the Louvre in Paris went on strike as a result of the pickpockets had been getting so unhealthy.

Practice Stations

Practice stations are giant, crowded, and stuffed with confused vacationers with their arms stuffed with cumbersome baggage—which is precisely the form of atmosphere pickpockets love.

Eating places, Cafés, and Bars

Many individuals let their guard down when 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.

By no means depart your cellphone on the desk or your bag/purse unattended!

The Seashore

Take note of your stuff once you’re on the seashore. 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.

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The Sneaky Tips Pickpockets Use To Steal Your Stuff

Distraction is the one tactic that each 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 may be very common in Paris. It almost all the time entails a gaggle 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. In case you signal, they’ll ask for a donation to the charity. In fact, the “charity” is pretend — in actual fact, the cash usually goes to those women’ “boss” (i.e. human traffickers). Whereas the vacationer is signing/studying the petition, there’s usually an confederate making an attempt to pickpocket the sufferer.

Crowd the Metro

The metro (subway) trains can get very crowded. A typical tactic is for a gaggle of 4-6 children to push on a crowded prepare shortly earlier than the doorways shut and crowd their goal. They’ll swipe what they’re making an attempt 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 prepare has already left the station.

At all times be cautious when a gaggle of individuals crowds onto an already busy metro automotive. Even be cautious of anybody who’s standing very near you on a prepare that isn’t crowded, as they could be as much as no good.

Sidewalk Cafe Seize

Pay additional consideration to your cellphone and purse/bag everytime you’re consuming or consuming at a restaurant. Pay double consideration once you’re at a sidewalk cafe as this is among the commonest 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 in the event 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 will help you carry it up the steps. This normally takes individuals off guard slightly and that is when their pal reaches into your purse or pocket. There are a number 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 Elevate

Whenever you’re surrounded by crowds, it isn’t unusual to unintentionally stumble upon different individuals. Nonetheless, this can be a frequent transfer carried out by pickpockets, so if somebody bumps into you, it could be good 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 can 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 can create an enormous backup of individuals making an attempt 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 considered one 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 nearly unimaginable to chase them.

Newspaper/Map Distraction

A typical pickpocket tactic entails utilizing a big map or a newspaper to cowl the goal’s line of sight to take issues out of their bag. They’ll usually shove the map in your face, level to part of the map, after which their pal will attain underneath the paper so you’ll be able to’t see what they’re taking. It is a quite common method that folks steal cell phones from tables.

ATM Confusion

At all times watch out when utilizing the ATM — particularly once you’re alone. When you’re within the means of withdrawing cash, a gaggle of beggars will strategy you from behind to try to get your consideration. They could pull in your arm or shove a chunk of paper in entrance of the display screen. In case you 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, you should definitely cowl up your PIN code once 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 slightly leery of people that strive that will help 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 price 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 youngster’s ticket (which seems to be 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 make the most of your good nature. On this rip-off, one of many scammers will drop one thing in entrance of you and whilst you’re serving to them decide up the mess, the opposite pickpocket will swoop in and carry one thing out of your bag. That doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’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 making an attempt to steal your bag and they’re going to merely slash it open with a knife. Pacsafe makes a spread of slash-proof luggage for additional safety.

Turnstile Stall

Busy turnstiles are a standard space for pickpockets to strike. As you’re approaching a turnstile, one particular person will minimize in entrance of you after which proceed to cease (they could fake that the machine isn’t working) and their associate will come up behind you — basically trapping you between the 2 of them. The particular person within the again will carry one thing out of your bag or pocket whereas his associate within the entrance is fumbling with the turnstile.

Scooter Snatch and Run

Whereas not tremendous frequent, some thieves will drive up on a scooter, snatch a bag from the sufferer’s shoulder, after which experience off into the sundown. I wouldn’t be too frightened about this method, however it may well occur.

Road Performances

Many road performances entice giant crowds of vacationers—which might usually entice loads of pickpockets as effectively (generally they’re all working collectively).

Pretend 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.

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Who Do Pickpockets Goal?

Anybody is usually 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 simplest goal as a result of they don’t desire a confrontation.

Vacationers

Duh, proper? However vacationers = cash to pickpockets. In case you seem like a vacationer, you’re routinely going to be singled out. Take a look at my article on not gown like a vacationer in Europe.

Individuals With a Lot of Baggage

You’re going to be a primary goal for a pickpocket in case you are pulling alongside two large suitcases and have a backpack. You received’t be capable to watch over all of your issues since you’ve a lot stuff and also you’re a slow-moving goal.

So pack gentle!

Take a look at my Backpacking Europe Packing Record and Journey Europe Packing Record for Ladies to get some recommendations on packing gentle and see my information to the perfect journey backpacks to see my favourite journey luggage.

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 easy accessibility to credit score and debit playing cards in order that they carry giant quantities of money—and thieves know this.

So even in the event you’re not Chinese language, however have Asian heritage, you would possibly wish to be particularly cautious because you could be 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 not often 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 usually than Australians. I believe the individuals who assume everybody else round them is good and useful are those who get taken benefit of most frequently.

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How To Defend Your self From Pickpockets

In case you’ve made it this far, you could be considering that there are millions of pickpockets making an attempt to rob each vacationer in Europe. However that isn’t the case and also you’ll not often have any issues in the event you take a couple of additional precautions.

It’s also necessary to do not forget that precise violent crime is low in Europe so there’s a very low likelihood of something taking place to you.

On this part, we’ll discuss in regards to the steps you’ll be able to take to keep away from turning into a sufferer.

Pickpocket-Proof Journey Clothes

Firms are beginning to make journey clothes safety features which can be nice for deterring would-be thieves.

One in all 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 just’d put on each day however are made out of high-tech materials.

Bluffworks additionally has trendy girls’s anti-theft journey clothes that’s price testing.

Pickpocket-Proof Luggage

If you wish to be additional secure, you may get your self a specifically designed “pickpocket-proof” backpack, bag, or purse.

The preferred anti-theft luggage are made by Pacsafe. Their luggage have tamper-proof zippers, cut-proof straps, anchored straps, and a slash-proof steel mesh sewn into the bag.

Zippered Purse

Among the best methods to maintain your valuables safe is to have a handbag/bag with a zipper. I like to recommend holding valuables in inner zipped compartments if attainable.

Put on a Cash Belt

A cash belt is among the most safe methods to hold valuables like extra cash and your passport. Nonetheless, many vacationers make the error of considering that they need to use their cash belt like a pockets — but it surely isn’t supposed for that.

Ideally, it’s best to hold the cash and debit/bank cards that you just’re going to want for the day in your pockets after which hold all additional money and possibly a backup bank card within the cash belt. The cash belt needs to be worn underneath your garments and needs to be pretty inconvenient to entry (to discourage thieves).

There are a number of types of cash belts accessible:

• Across the Waist — That is the normal model 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 so much simpler to entry (particularly in the event 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 believe they’re extra snug than one which goes round your waist.
• Belt with Pocket — In case you 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 want to hold little or no whereas I’m sightseeing. I particularly suggest not carrying a number of money.

Safe Your Bag/Backpack

Your bag or backpack might be essentially the most susceptible space that pickpockets love to focus on. Backpacks are particularly susceptible as a result of you’ll be able to’t see if somebody is making an attempt 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 luggage backward as a result of this enables 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 effectively.
• 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 in the event you plan on carrying a number of stuff with you. Right here is an instance of a sling backpack, however there are various types accessible.
• Safe Your Bag To An Immovable Object — Whenever 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 good to safe your bag to a chair or baggage rack whilst you’re on a prepare — 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 way simpler.

Hold Your Pockets in Entrance Pocket

A whole lot of guys hold their wallets of their again pockets, however that is a particularly 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 seems to be form of dumb. The Large Skinny Multi-Pocket Bifold Pockets will get a number of nice evaluations for having a low profile.

Hold Your Telephone Off The Desk

Smartphones are a brilliant common 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.

Break up Up Your Valuables

Unfold out your valuables so that you’ll restrict any injury in the event 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 all the pieces.

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Closing Ideas About Pickpockets In Europe

The possibilities of you getting pickpocketed whereas touring in Europe are low however it may well occur. In actual fact, Italy studies 463 mentions of pickpocketing per a million guests and France has 283 mentions per a million guests so it’s statistically uncommon.

The true secret is to not make your self a goal since pickpockets all the time wish to discover the simplest goal attainable. So be vigilant and take a couple of additional steps that I’ve outlined on this information and also you’ll have an ideal journey.

And whereas we’re as regards to security, take a look at my information to frequent journey scams in Europe to be taught different methods scammers attempt to make the most of vacationers.