Is pickpocketing a Europe thing?

Please tell me that your future fiancee doesn't read this board.

There is not a definite answer. Pickpockets and petty theft "seem" to be more prevalent in the bigger cities in Europe with min muggings. In the US it is the reverse when the chance of a mugging is higher than an old fashion, slight of hand, pickpocket. And this is a big item of discussion on travels boards and newspaper because it is far more interesting than "Nothing Happened On Our Trip." Tourist who have not had problems seldom post their experiences. Over the past 18 years we have spent nearly a year in Europe, had never had a problem, have never seen pickpocket or think we have been close. But that does not mean that the problem does not exist. An Interpol report several years suggested that about 1 in 4 American tourist were pickpocket or 3 in 4 were not. We take routine precautions, dress appropriately for the location, and try not to present ourselves as attractive targets. So far has worked well, but doesn't mean we cannot have a problem on the next trip. A short answer. Yes, it is a bigger problem in Europe and you should prepare for it.

It's not a Europe thing. Anywhere in the world where tourists congregate, there will be thieves at work. You hear more stories from Europe because nowhere else in the world are there more popular attractions per square mile. I do know folks who have been robbed in the US on vacation in the US...even at Disney World. When I travel domestically or to Canada, I do wear my money belt.

Thank you for the replies What do you mean by dress appropriately? No loose pockets and such? Some people say to dress to blend in. I've looked at tons of photos and videos of people in these locations (me and my gf are in our mid 20s) and most everyone looks the same in style to us. Also, we are only bringing backpacks, and the only time they will be out with us and not at the hotel is on the way to the hotel from the airport, and train stations. We are only taking public transportation to the airport once when getting there (London) and once on the way back (Prague)... so we will be walking from train stations to our hotel in most situations. As long as we have locks on the backpacks should they be ok? They wouldn't leave us, and the one pocket that has no locks I wouldn't use.

Interesting question. I have no answer... but it does occur to me that, when we travel, we are NOT AT HOME. So - we go to touristy places, look clueless, fumble around with the money. And we may be in sensory overload - as in, "OMG! Look! It's the Vatican!!!" Which means we have less attention to focus on our backpacks and whatnot, and are more easily distracted. (Okay - not us here on the RS Helpline - we are all savvy in-the-know-travelers! - but you get my drift.) Anyway... my thesis is that, when you aren't at home, you're slightly on your back foot - and more vulnerable. Prey, as it were. We should ask a bunch of Europeans who have come here as tourists, and see what they say? I am thinking the Tenderloin isn't all that forgiving to tourists... nor is the NYC subway system.... etc. And I would adore to see some actual statistics! A study would be really illuminating. That being said, I have not been pickpocketed either here or abroad. And that is a statistical sample of such an infinitessimal size as to mean nothing. For excellent advice on how to avoid being swiped from, just check out the many pickpocketing-related threads on this board.

Pickpockets are all over the world. Every culture has thieves. May not be as bad in the Arab countries since they will whack off your hand if you are caught doing that, but in Europe and Asia there is always someone trying to part you and your money. You can never let your guard down anywhere. The U.S. has pickpockets.
Thanks - Bill

The only person I know personally who has been pick pocketed had it happen right here in Washington, DC. The focus on pick pocketing in Europe here is because this is a site to discuss tourism in Europe. Tourists are distracted, carry cash, and frequently don't know where to go /what to do even if they discover they've been victimized. Crime simply follows opportunity.

When I was in New York a policeman told me to be careful about theft. I had a tote bag on me that did not have a fastener (none of my valuables were in it). He told me to clip the top closed so that it would be harder for someone to put their hand in. I also read several guidebooks that said be careful not to put your handbag near the door of the toilet cubicle in public loos because people will put their hand under and grab it. A lady who worked in a bus station said it had happened there a lot. Your toilet cubicle doors seemed to be more like stable doors whereas UK ones reach to the floor so guidebooks probably feel the need to warn UK travellers. These people would probably not have warned a native.

Matt nailed it...this forum is all about Europe, so that's why you read so much here about pickpockets there. But the stats back-up the notion that European cities do have the lion's share of pickpockets: With the exception of Buenos Aires and Hanoi, the rest of the top 10 are all in Europe according to Tripadvisor. I'm not sure rising unemployment and the economic crisis have anything to do with it. Thieves are thieves, and tourists have stuff they want. And tourists are vulnerable.

Actually, pickpocketing has all but disappeared in America, while it continues to flourish in Europe. It's a very interesting cultural phenomenon. Here's a great article on the subject: http://www.slate.com/id/2286010/

Maybe not pickpocketing but in Oakland, purse-snatching is still alive and well. Do use the money belt under your clothes in Europe, I've been on several trips and people in our group were pick-pocketed with a skill that amounted to slight-of-hand. Even one woman with a fanny-pack in front of her, two guys jostled her on the metro while a third un-zipped, emptied, and zipped the fanny pack so fast that she did not discover her loss until back at the hotel. Another woman, in Spain, had her purse stolen from her chair in the hotel breakfast room while she was filling her plate at the breakfast buffet.....

I was a victim of a pickpocket. It happened on a very crowded train in Paris. If you don't take precautions it can happen, especially when you are distracted. Luckily we were on our way to the airport to go home, so it didn't ruin our trip. And...I had my passport in a money belt, so I didn't miss my flight. I will take every step now to make sure I am not pickpocketed again!!

no she doesn't read this =) she has no clue...

Wow, it would be nice if there wasn't any pick pocketing in the US, but I am very suspicious of those reports. I was at Farmer's Market on the east side of NYC and saw some caution a person who had their wallet in open bag. Her comment was, "If I can see it the pickpocketer can too." I'm not about to walk about NYC with no cares to my wallet! The only time I've been pick pocketed was in Chicago. I was meeting my young niece who was coming to spend the weekend with me. We were riding the El and I was distracted by her visit and my wallet got stolen. I did see pickpocketers in Amsterdam last summer. It was Dutch friend who was almost pickpocketed, so that are equal opportunity thieves. Pam

In the european countries there is less chance of owning a gun than in the USA. In europe pickpockets people work in teams and almost impossible to catch them with the goods. In the USA it is easier to point a gun and rob you. I feel much safer in europe than in the USA as you can protect yourself from pickpockets.

Interesting question. Cnn.com had an interesting read last week regarding the top ten scams facing tourists world wide. In NYC it is the CD bullies - they hand you a CD and then the minute you touch it, they expect you to fork over $10 or $20 - if you are not diligent in saying no, others join in with the CD bully. You are advised to set the CD on the ground and move on. In Orlando, thieves have taken to slipping pizza delivery menus under doors. Then when the unsuspecting tourist orders from the menu - the tourist gives them credit card information and voila their identity is stolen - but alas - no pizza! In Las Vegas, some less than scrupulous cabbies will explain they are in a rush and grab your bags or unload them quickly to the sidewalk, slam the trunk shut then take off - with one or more of your bags. Throughout the US, hotel guests may receive a phone call from a person claiming to be the front desk clerk at 3 am. They indicate they are having trouble running the credit card you left through the machine and ask to verify the information or ask for another credit card. Surprise! It's not the front desk clerk - there goes your identity. In Bali, local moneys are the pick pockets - they see something they like, they take it. Enterprising locals offer to coax the monkey to give your stuff back for a tip. In Columbia, sitting on a beach, a pair of hands may appear on your back to give you a massage - but you must pay. Bottom line - over the globe there are enterprising and unscrupulous people trying to separate you from your money. Be alert and aware, take appropriate precautions and don't let it keep you awake at night! Best wishes on your engagement!

Oops - in Bali I meant to type "monkeys" not "moneys". Freudian slip?

Do be aware of your bag on the train! My husband's small bag was stolen from the luggage rack above our seats on the train leaving Antwerp on the way to Brugge.

Anyone have any thoughts as far as our backpacks? If we have them locked and they are only on us when going from trains to hotels, having them locked up with say something like this should be enough right: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-4688D-Accepted-Assorted/dp/B000WO84Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314459191&sr=8-1 And then I was also going to something to lock it to the luggage rack or seat on a plane, it's a carry-on so if I could keep it on me on the train instead of even on a rack that would be preferred, but I don't know how they work there. All the trains we are on are just 1-2 hours most so won't be sleeping, except a night train that we got our own room for with no one else.

Any simple little lock will do. You won't have to lock your bag to your seat on the plane or train. You will most likely have them right at your seat.

On trains, I clip the shoulder strap of my backpack around the luggage rack or if it is a suitcase, I clip a strap around the luggage rack and handle. It's not comfortable to have a backpack on your lap especially if the train is full and people do not take kindly to leaving your luggage in the aisles. By straping it down, it makes it difficult for someone to come through and just grab your bag. Even though your train rides are short, don't be surprised if you do fall asleep - the rocking of the train, the jet lag, the excitement of traveling - they may make you snooze. I also use the TSA locks on all the pockets for extra security. I've not really worried about planes simply because we are all going to the same destination and the security to get on board is tight, whereas on a train, anyone can get on or off the train before it departs. I had a thief follow me on my train in Italy. It was a local train and the locals recognized him as a thief and shooed him off the train. He left our car and got onto another car.

There is pickpocketing in the US. But as others had said the bad guys here seem to prefer to point a gun at you and mug you were in Europe they take your money without letting you know. But for me the reason why I use a money belt when I travel (overseas and domestically) but not in my home town has less to do with the increased risk but the increased consequences. Losing your wallet in KC would not be that horrible. Yeah, it would cost you some money and would be a PIA to go to the DMV to replace you license, get your cards canceled and reissued, etc. But you would still have a place to sleep, food to eat, your car and friends, family and/or coworkers that would lend you a $100 until your replacement ATM card came in the mail and back up id for the DMV. OTOH, if you lost you wallet when traveling (particularly when solo) on the way to check into your hotel you know have no place to sleep, nothing to eat, no way to get money, no friends/family to lend you money. IOW -- screwed.

I guess i has to do with awareness and opportunity. Think of New York subway, for instance: you can easily spot those tourists clueless about stations, or searching for maps, or travelling with two bags to JFK. They are much more opportunistic targets for an hypothetical thieve. After reading that violent crime rates are lower in Europe than is US (which is true), many tourists also embrace a relaxed mentality and it's at that moment they get caught.

I think i'm going to go with one of those belts that strap on to your calf or ankle.... and just a front pocket wallet to keep 1 Credit Card and some spending money in. I'm pretty aware of my surroundings, even here. Trying to decide if I should get a front pocket wallet with a chain (short chain, i'd just put it in my front pocket from my belt, so probably not noticeable with my shirt over it. Or have my jacket modified to have an inside pocket with a zipper, which i'd think would make it more difficult for pickpockets. I won't be checking a map either, if we are going some specific we will get an idea of the streets we need to go down and turn before hand, and if anything I might take a quick look at the route on my phone. Other then that, just going to be exploring anyways and see what we see.