European Cruisers: How bad are the pick pocketers?

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Like others have said, just be vigilant like you would in any other large city. HOWEVER, in all our travels, Paris was the worst and the only place one of us did fall victim. It's also the only place I saw signs warning of pick-pockets.

My dad was pick-pocketed around Arc de Triomphe. But he was doing a few things "wrong". He was alone and he had his wallet in his pocket.

My husband and son were also approached in Paris (My daughters and I were a few steps behind them) by a woman with the ring scam, but when I walked up, she quickly took the ring and walked away.

I ALWAYS carry a Pacsafe Purse and wear it across my body. I keep (my family's) Passports, money, etc., in it. My husband also wears a Pacsafe camera strap because he's got a nice camera.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Thanks so much.

Such a shame such beautiful cities have this nonsense attached

 

[DahliaRW]

I've done an lot of traveling in Europe (UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, France) and never been pickpocketed. Use common sense and make valuables hard to access and you'll be fine. I don't ever carry a purse with valuables, I use internal pockets and such to store valuables (cash, passport, etc). Also, I always leave a credit card off of my body (usually locked in a safe at the hotel or on the ship) just in case as well. Worst thing would be to have no access to money if I was pickpocketed!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just wondering for those in the know to help a fresh travelers to Europe not have their first vacation there be smeared by theft.

Don't keep your money in a place where it can be reached.

In the mean time, I'm on the transatlantic cruise to New York in september, we'll stay in New York for 5 days afterwards, it's our first time in the USA and I'm kind of scared about everybody caring guns everywhere...

I live in the US and worry about it too.

Here's a good article from Rick Steves about using a money belt, a neck wallet it would work well also. The advice about keeping your eyes open and being aware of your surroundings good, but some of the pickpockets have developed incredibly sophisticated systems for parting you from your money. https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/travel-moneybelt

Good read. Best when it's followed. As cheermom posted, he forgot his rules this summer and was pickpocketed in France!

I've seen many street signs in cities throughout Europe and Asia where in either words or pictures - it says, "Beware of Pickpockets". I can't count the number of tourists that upon seeing those signs, immediately pat each of their pockets where they have money, cameras or phones - so you just told any bad guys were to reach!

Some people just don't think.





In Peru hubby went to a street market and was considering buying something for me. Had his wallet out while texting me. He ultimately didn't, and put the wallet away, but the vendor insisted on giving him a neon blaring green "friendship bracelet" that the vendor put on him.

As Dh walked away he thought "that was odd", and nonchalantly moved his wallet to the other side of his pants (front pocket), as he realized the vendor had put the bracelet on the wallet side. A minute later DH felt a hand dart in and out of his bracelet-side pocket. He did not feel it was a coincidence.

Wear your money belt or around the neck wallet UNDER you clothes (Pants, shirt, etc). I have met people who have not understood how they were pick pocketed when wearing their money belt OUTSIDE of their pants, or just had the around the neck wallet flopping (with their money and passport) around outside of their tops, like it was a necklace or something.

Augh.

And finally, my favorite - It doesn't stop the crime but ... well...., cut the pockets out of your pants and then when someone sticks their hand in there, they will get something that they weren't expecting.

Hahahahaha!

I think that poster may have been using sarcasm... at least I hope so. It is stereotypical for Americans to believe there are pick-pockets everywhere in European cities and reciprocally stereotypical for Europeans to believe everyone in America is carrying a gun.

Also, I'd be far more concerned with thugs carrying illegal firearms than law abiding citizens licensed to carry. Chicago has among the strictest gun control laws in the nation and conversely among the highest rates of gun violence.

Martin

Dh works with a wide variety of Europeans and they are actually concerned about it. No sarcasm. They are also concerned with oickpocketing when traveling in different countries in Europe.

And alas it's impossible to know if you're looking at a good or a bad guy who is open carrying. THAT is what makes some of us nervous.

Thanks so much.

Such a shame such beautiful cities have this nonsense attached

People are people! Should crime only be in ugly cities? Nah. It can be everywhere. Be aware and get a money belt. And use it.

 

[Wakey]

I live in UK, and travel to Spain etc a lot. I have never been pickpocketed or know anyone who has. There are some pickpocket gangs operating though in a lot of cities, including UK. These tend to be gypsies , often from Romania. A group of them recently targetted a Libertines concert in the UK, and the police in London have a special unit trying to capture them. Some have made so much cash the BBC did an investigation and found them buying mansions back in Romania. They are often the ones in Rome. Just a fact. If you see any of these (often unkempt looking, you can normally spot them) just stay well clear. I had one, about 16 approach me in Portugal this year, wanting to return my shopping trolley, just ignore them and keep your distance. Dont engage, don't try to be polite.Don't worry though it is still very rare.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Even Rick Steves isnt immune to being pick pocketed (this was from June 10, 2017)
http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/pickpocketed-paris/

Thanks for this post!

 

[MUN]

Hey my favorite people!

I'm taking one of the cruises of my dreams, and decided to obviously ask the more seasoned travelers here what's the deal with the pick pocketers? I've been doing a bit of research on this matter, and it seems like it's a really bad problem. Obviously living in NYC, and traveling to Manhattan on public transpiration daily I know not to let my guard down; however this never happened to me.

Just wondering for those in the know to help a fresh travelers to Europe not have their first vacation there be smeared by theft.

Thanks

We were in Europe (Denmark, Norway, Germany, Netherlands) for 17 days in June. We were not pickpocketed. When I carried our passports, I wore a money belt.

MUN

 

[trouttigger]

Agreeing with the above on using caution. Just thought I would throw in that I've now been to Rome 3 times. Last time with 3 teen girls and another female adult. I was only really fearful on crowded public transportation, but none of us were pickpocketed. Cross body bags, zipped and securely held, and being very aware of surroundings. Try not to crowd up with people who are getting on or off public transportation.

 

[JsMom2]

I lived in Germany for 3 years, Belgium for 3 years, and have traveled Europe extensively. I've never been pickpocketed. I'm more worried about pick pockets in places like New York or Chicago than in most cities in Europe. However, if you are in a major city like Paris, Rome, or London then you should remain alert and cautious - just as you would in a US city.

 

[Pooh2]

My daughter had her bag swiped off her shoulder, lost her passport, wallet and id in Barcelona. One person started yelling at them in Spanish, they never saw the second guy coming.
The line to report stolen passports at the police station was over two hours long!
The police report was accepted in lieu of her passport for the remainder of the trip.

 

[BMICKEY]

My parents road the train in Spain. My mom wears a very small messenger style purse, wallet deep inside, zipped and up against her body. They were able to get the wallet out without her feeling it or any damage to the purse. Don't carry a lot of cash. Split up who is holding credit cards so you are never without...

 

[CampbellzSoup]

My daughter had her bag swiped off her shoulder, lost her passport, wallet and id in Barcelona. One person started yelling at them in Spanish, they never saw the second guy coming.
The line to report stolen passports at the police station was over two hours long!
The police report was accepted in lieu of her passport for the remainder of the trip.

Oh geese I'm so sorry

Def getting the money belt! Thanks guys!

 

[MsThumper]

We have traveled to many countries in the last 30 years, and (knock on wood) we have never been a victim of crime. We always carry important things like money, credit cards and passports under our clothing. I never wear jewelry that I can't afford to loose. DH carries a small amount of currency in an accessible pocket. I never carry a purse. It's just a matter of habit with us. We never consider where we are, we just do it. We do the same thing in any US city, including Disney World. I would rather be safe then sorry. We've seen pick-pockets working, watched them on the canal boats in Venice. We've been approached by gypsies in Rome. We have seen children picking pockets in the Rome train station.