We are often asked which are the worst cities for pickpocketing. It always seems the correspondent or the journalist hopes that we will confirm a preconceived notion or rumored list of the ten worst cities where crime runs rampant. It makes for good sensational journalism, I guess, or easy-to-grasp stories and headlines. But we hate to support poorly researched lists or to disparage a particular city just because petty crime may be high in certain areas. We prefer balanced evaluations and a deeper understanding of the threat to an informed traveler.

Also, we’d hate to see a traveler dissuaded from visiting a city in reaction to one of these silly articles. The fact is, a little precaution and travel-savviness should be enough to defeat a distraction thief and stay many steps ahead of the bad guys. The key is information, which leads to an understanding of how the thieves think and act, and how they select their marks. It is always the uninformed who become the victims.

Harder to avoid are muggers and the grab-and-run thieves. They work on the principle of speed and are often brutal and vicious in their techniques. A pickpocket depends on psychological manipulation and distraction, from which you can defend yourself. But avoiding a mugger requires more planning, local research (think hotel lobby concierge), or simply staying away from certain districts. The time of day and location determine the threat factor.

Worst cities for pickpocketing

Is there any truth to those infamous lists of “the ten worst cities for pickpocketing”? That depends on what is meant by the word “worst.” Honest and accurate crime statistics are extremely hard to come by, and even the word “pickpocket” must be defined carefully. Police commissioners, local politicians, tourist ministry officials and the hotel industry in general are not fond of releasing statistics which cast a dubious sheen on their profession. It is also difficult to compare a small city like Naples to a much larger city like Barcelona, or city center districts frequented by tourists, versus an entire city and all its transportation system, including neighboring airports.

What is certain beyond any shadow of a doubt is that Paris, Rome, and Barcelona rank as high risk cities in any pickpocket list; maybe also London. So how do we measure this and how do we find the latest trends? There is only one way really, and that is feet on the ground. We revisit cities on a regular basis, usually annually, and do diligent research.

To get to the real truth we immerse ourselves for a at least a few days with law enforcement, hotel security staff, and local security experts at the cities’ popular attractions. Whenever possible, we also speak with the thieves themselves. We speak with victims on location, and those who post comments on this blog. The combined research gives us a pretty good idea of what is changing for the better or for the worst from one year to another. Tedious work, yes, but also enlightening and interesting to see how cities tackle petty crime—with aggressive new techniques or, worse, indirectly blaming the tourists themselves for not being more careful or observant.  Shifting the blame! 

Case in point: Barcelona. Its reputation for robbery has deteriorated steadily over the years, and rightly so. Television news programs and sensational newspaper stories featured every conceivable petty crime perpetrated on tourists and business visitors. Some not so petty, with women being dragged to the ground and breaking hips and arms during bag snatches. On the other hand, Barcelona is one of the most charming and pleasant destinations in the world, equally loved by young and old. Bambi and I love Barcelona, let’s make that clear, so it’s sad to have to report that crime is still very high compared to other European cities. But worst? No, I wouldn’t go that far.

One can avoid becoming a victim when visiting Barcelona and it’s not that complicated or challenging. No need for complete lifestyle changes—just a few simple precautionary steps, and you’ll increase the likelihood of a safe visit by many, many multiples.

Stay tuned. In my next post, I will present:

Seven simple rules to save yourself from pickpockets

And after that: Barcelona Pickpocket Scene Today.