Awareness of the risk of encountering pickpockets in popular European destinations is not just important – it’s empowering. Pickpockets often target crowded places such as prominent tourist attractions and historical monuments, where tourists may be distracted and not pay attention to their belongings. By staying alert, you can prevent them from stealing your money and essential travel documents, potentially ruining your holiday.
Where Are the Most Pickpockets in Europe?
Understanding pickpocketing percentages is crucial when traveling in Europe. Quotezone, a travel insurance comparison company, has ranked the most famous European holiday destinations based on the frequency of pickpocket mentions in visitor reviews of each country’s top five tourist attractions.
According to Quotezone’s ranking, France, Italy, and Spain are the top three countries with the highest reports of pickpocket incidents. Specifically, visitors to tourist attractions like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon in Rome, as well as the Duomo in Milan and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, report the highest volume of stolen personal items. In Spain, tourist attractions such as Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Plaza Mayor and the Prado Museum in Madrid, and the Alhambra in Granada have the highest number of pickpocket incidents.
European Destinations with the Most Pickpockets:
Italy
France
Spain
Germany
Netherlands
Portugal
Turkey
Greece
Poland
Ireland
How to Identify the Pickpockets?
Pickpockets are not easily recognizable, but you can stay alert by noticing certain clues. They are often sly, stealthy, and subtle. According to Securitas Direct, there are more female pickpockets than male ones. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for adults to use children to get closer to their targets.
Pickpockets often try to conceal their appearance, especially in places with surveillance cameras, such as public transportation and tourist areas. They do this by wearing hats, sunglasses, scarves, or bandanas.
They tend to stay close to their potential victims, often closer than usual, and assess the situation quickly to see if they can carry out a theft without being caught.
Speed is critical for pickpockets; they move quickly, keep their hands in their pockets, and stare directly at their target. Understanding their tactics and reacting quickly can help you avoid becoming a victim.
Types of Theft by Pickpockets
It is crucial to be mindful of pickpockets, particularly in busy areas such as public transport or crowded streets. They often take advantage of close contact and steal wallets from bags or pockets. In some cases, they may conceal tools like pliers under a jacket to aid in their theft, especially on subways and buses. Pickpockets may target unsuspecting travelers during holidays and peak travel seasons at train stations and airports. Additionally, some pickpockets work in groups, with one person distracting the victim while another stealing the wallet.
