10 Worst Cities For Pickpockets (PHOTOS)

Your parents always told you to be careful of pickpockets, especially in places in which you're not accustomed. While in general we feel safe while abroad, there are quite a few places to be extra aware of your surroundings.

Thankfully, TripAdvisor broke it down for us and released the 10 worst cities for pickpockets.

Take a look and let us know what you think. Are there other cities that should have made the list?

 

What do you think are the worst cities for pickpockets? Send us your photos.

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

1 of 10

#1 Barcelona

1 of 11

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

NPR Cruise To Set Sail On Regent's Seven Seas Voyager (PHOTOS)

Now Open for Summer: 4 Gorgeous Spots Along the East Coast (PHOTOS)

10 Things I Learned By Staying In New York's Sex Hotels (PHOTOS)

London Dining: Steak Near Covent Garden And Lesser Calamint Near Goodge Street

Where To Go When You've Summered Everywhere (PHOTOS)

5 Great Destinations In The South Of France (That Aren't Provence Or The Riviera)

comments(57)

Total comments: 57 | Post a Comment

1 of 11

City

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Not so bad. Worst!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

Choose your Top 5 Slides

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[JesuisFrederique]

08:46 PM on 10/05/2010

I am more worried about robbed here at gunpoint in the USA and be killed then being pick pocketed in Europe. You know folks we have, here in the USA, one of the highest crime rate in the world and highest percentage of incarcerations. So give Europe a break...

[JesuisFrederique]

08:38 PM on 10/05/2010

Cities to be likely robbed at GUNPOINT...Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, etc....

[anechoic]

07:29 AM on 10/05/2010

I've been traveling on business in Europe for years and have only ever been pick-pocketed in Brussels - twice!

[mamacat]

03:31 AM on 10/04/2010

Some friends were robbed on the metro in Rome by some young ladies. They only lost a few hundred dollars, but it put them in a bad mood for quite some time.

A relative had their passport stolen in Rome.

In Barcelona a policeman grabbed a pickpocket near us, held on to her, and proclaimed to everyone within ear shot that she was a pickpocket. As soon as he let go of her, she disappeared back into the crowd.

I had a camera stolen in Sweden. I just put it down on a park bench next to me, as I was sitting, and when I put my hand down to pick it back up, it was gone.

Still, traveling in Europe is worth it, and I guarantee that one will meet many more wonderful people than thieves.

[3daywkend]

01:57 AM on 10/04/2010

My wallet has always been in my front pocket. I'm not wary of pick pockets (nobody has that skill in the US), it just feels weird on my bottom. Especially when sitting down.

[anechoic]

07:22 AM on 10/05/2010

nobody in the US? you haven't spent much time in NYC

[YankeeCanuck]

07:35 PM on 10/03/2010

Naples not on the list?? It is a good place to get groped too.

[bubbepenny]

06:26 PM on 10/03/2010

rome - the roma swarm

[Seeitmyway]

10:59 PM on 10/02/2010

Barcelona for sure! My cousin lived there for a few years and discovered a stretch of highway where one could find the remains from stolen articles that pickpockets and thieves would discard. He amassed quite a collection of designer sunglasses, cameras, cd players, handbags, wallets, etc.

[SukiTheCat]

10:23 PM on 10/02/2010

I'm taking it most of the pickpockets in Europe are Roma

[sole]

07:15 PM on 10/02/2010

Forget pickpockets, I was in Rimini (Italy) two years ago and a Roma (gypsy) tried stealing a newborn out of the supermarket. Three months old right out of the buggy and into the bathroom. Covered him in shoe polish while the mother was screaming bloody murder. They locked down the place, found her in the bathroom and if the carabinieri (cops) hadn't shown up as fast as they did, that gypsy would have been dead. She was halfway there after the beating she took.

Not to rant, but the Roma are ALL thieves. No wonder France is booting them all out, sorry.

[jymfrancais]

01:26 AM on 10/03/2010

Even the Romanians do no want the Roma to stay in Romania

[sole]

05:14 AM on 10/03/2010

An interesting problem. Funny how Italy has tolerated them for so long. The drive BMW and fancy campers too. What cracks me up is when the walk around town in groups playing a few instruments as they go. That's a sign to get indoors and lock the place up tight. All they are doing is scoping out the neighborhood looking at ways to break in later and steal stuff. Funny how Germany, the Swiss, Austria and other countries pretty much just kicked hem all out and said don't come back. I wish Italy would do the same.

[KIVPossum]

01:48 AM on 10/02/2010

That's why I love my murse; goes over my shoulder and hangs at my stomach. Money, passport, wallet, cards, camera all stashed in it. If I'm on a trolly or metro or in a crowded area, only have to lay my left arm over it and it's secure.

[mlkx]

12:11 AM on 10/02/2010

Seems like you meant to write the 10 best cities for pickpockets and the 10 worst cities for their victims.

But there is no place worse/better for pickpockets than an over-crowded train station in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou right before the Lunar New Year holiday.

If you can hold on to your wallet - you're the clever one.

[bubbepenny]

06:27 PM on 10/03/2010

put it in your knickers (underpants)

[HighDesertBob]

07:12 PM on 10/01/2010

Wear a money belt, don't carry your wallet in your back pocket, don't open your wallet in a crowd, don't carry a lot of cash, leave non-essential cards in your room safe or the hotel safe, and don't look like a tourist as much as you can.
Like most circumstances, be aware of where you are and of those around you.

[camcat]

02:21 AM on 10/02/2010

Bob, nothing says, "I'm a tourist" like taking your money out of a money belt when you want to pay for something. Oh, white athletic shoes and clothing fit for Disneyworld in Florida speaks volumes, too.

[mamacat]

03:35 AM on 10/04/2010

I think a money belt is a good idea, but one should only expose it in private. Use a wallet or purse for daily transactions.

[anechoic]

07:26 AM on 10/05/2010

exactly! Americans don't realize how easy they are to spot - all pastel, fat and loud

[pompous]

07:10 PM on 10/01/2010

Loved Italy and Spain tremendously. I didn't have a criminal experience in Spain just luck perhaps but did experience it Venice. We parked in the Tronchetto after a long drive and we were quickly ushered by what appeared to be parking lot attendants onto a water taxi which was a $50 scam for a 5 - 10 minute ride. A young italian couple on the same boat were also victimized. The Romany are often blamed for these types of petty crimes but in Italy the mafia, ponzi schemes and pickpocketing are most often perpetrated by Italians. Italy is a beautiful country with friendly people but like most places has its fair share of criminal activity.

[bubbepenny]

06:29 PM on 10/03/2010

in italy they changed the money on the visa slip by adding a 1 at the front of the sum. it was a gas station. we didnt pay the visa bill.

[Max Shaw]

04:12 PM on 10/01/2010

Helps to blend in. Try not wearing a fannypack and a visor...Mom!

[camcat]

02:03 AM on 10/02/2010

Or a money belt or one of those pouches that hangs around your neck.

[sole]

07:10 PM on 10/02/2010

Lose the wallet, grab enough bills for the day and a credit card if needed and put it in your front pocket. 23 years of world travel just like that and never a problem!