Where are you most likely to have your pocket picked?

Updated
Park Guell, Barcelona - Spain
Park Guell, Barcelona - Spain



Seeing the sights; soaking up the local culture; having your wallet nicked and spending half the day in the police station: in some parts of the world, having your valuables taken by a light-fingered thief seems to be a key part of the experience. Travel website TripAdvisor has identified the top 10 worst cities for pickpockets.

10. Hanoi
The Old Quarter in particular is a hotspot for pickpockets. Many victims say they were approached by street vendors, who used the opportunity to bump into them - and used the items they were selling to cover up the theft. Others warn that night-time pickpockets may cut a hole in your bag and retrieve items that way.

9. Athens
Thieves will target outdoor attractions like the Acropolis, so if you want to take a photo, you need to be on your guard. They are also rife on public transport - where they can take your valuables by bumping against you as they walk past on the escalator. Even on the beach you need to keep hold of your valuables.

8. Amsterdam
The relaxed atmosphere of the city makes it a haven for pickpockets, who may target people in restaurants and bars. As with any major city, they also target public transport, especially the buses and trains going to and from the airport.
%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-crime-stories%
7. Buenos Aires
Pickpockets are said to work in teams in the city. One will squirt you with anything from coffee to fake bird droppings, while another will help you wipe it off - while helping themselves to your phone. The other street crime to be aware of is the ride-by - where your bag or phone will be snatched by someone passing on a scooter.

6. Florence
One particular local trend is for pickpockets to dress smartly and take to public transport - where they use rush hour to take what they can from unsuspecting passengers. It also goes without saying that standing and admiring public landmarks will highlight your tourist status - which will make you a target,

5. Paris
You may well feel the prices in Paris are hitting your wallet hard enough on their own, but pickpockets are keen to take their share too. You need to hang onto your valuables on the metro and around any popular sites: the Eiffel Tower is particularly popular among thieves.

4. Madrid
Unsurprisingly busy markets offer rich pickings for pickpockets - especially around El Rastro - the flea market. The locals also warn that thieves will target tourists on the metro and in museums.

3. Prague
The Old Town Square is a hotbed of theft - as are the areas around the train stations, and Prague Castle. Lost tourists - and those gazing wide-eyed at beauty, are particularly easy to target.

2. Rome
Stop to take a photo somewhere like the Trevi Fountain or the Forum, and pickpockets will know you're an excellent target. It's also worth walking past street vendors with your wits about you, as while tourists watch traders throwing souvenir toys in the air, there may well be a pickpocket helping themselves to their purse.

1. Barcelona
La Ramblas is the epicentre for Barcelona pickpocketing, but generally carrying your valuables with you comes with a risk anywhere in the city. If you are over the age of 50, and clearly a tourist, then the odds increase enormously of being parted with whatever you are carrying during your trip.

Protect yourself

It's not always possible to avoid having your valuables taken - especially when thieves cut holes in bags or snatch them from you while you are strolling on the street. However, there are ways to make it harder to steal from you - so the thieves don't bother with you and move onto easier prey.

The police recommend:

Keep purses secure and carry wallets in an inside pocket
Zip up hand and shoulder bags
Carry bags in front of you, with flaps against your body
Keep straps short and bags tucked under your arm
Don't display jewellery, mobile phones and MP3 players
Don't show your money - keep it safely in your bag
Stay alert and aware of what's going on around you when using your phone in public
Keep your luggage close by and check it regularly
And, of course, never go out with more than you need - leave your passport, extra cash, and spare credit or debit cards locked in the hotel safe

Eiffel Tower Staff Strike Over Surge in Pickpocketing
Eiffel Tower Staff Strike Over Surge in Pickpocketing



Advertisement