How to avoid being victims of pickpockets

Don't keep anything in your pockets that you don't want to lose. My husband was pickpocketed in Rome by gypsies and they took his credit card and driver's license, but immediately returned it to us for a possible "reward." Also, I think you need to have someone else help with the passports so you don't have all six together. More than one money belt in the group is a good idea. I always wear the money belt turned around so the bulk of it is in the small of my back and not in front where you are always bending.

If you search pickpockets on this site you will find hours of discussion as to what to do or not to do. To keep it simply but everyone has there own preferences --

Anything important - money, credit cards, passports, - need to be in very secure locations on your body. Not tucked in shoulder bags, purses that can be grabbed or more likely left handing on the back of a chair, or loose under a chair, etc. We prefer the money belt but wear it high in the small of the back and not around the waist like a slightly hidden billfold. Split the passports, three and three are not bad in the money belt especially if don't wear it at the waist level.

Our normal travel shirts and pants have pocket secured by zippers or velcro. Those pockets will hold our daily need of cash, credit card, maybe the debit card if needed that day. These items are scattered across several pockets so if one pocket was hit, not much is at risk. Remember a pickpocket doesn't have time to go through all of your pockets.

Finally, my strong personal opinion is that you are "set-up" by the pickpockets by your actions. If you show you are carrying a fat billfold in the front pocket, that is the target. If I pull a money clip from my front pocket with a few bill, less inviting. In crowded situations do not be totally focused on one item - looking for the subway car - Hint - Subway and buses always comes from the left. Try not to be totally predictable in your actions.

If standing in a crowded bus, subway car, carrying a backpack, shoulder bag, drop it to your feet and put one foot on a strap and hold the other. Harder for hands to reach it on the floor. Stand facing each other. Simple rule - if easy for you to get to, then it is easy for someone else.

We have spent nearly a year traveling in Europe over the past 20 often with two sons, and never lost a thing with only two minor attempt when I did something stupid both times and called attention to myself. I learned. That was in the early years of travel. Nothing in the last 15 but doesn't mean something cannot happen next year. Just take reasonable precautions and you will be fine. There are many other tourist that don't and they are ones that are hit.

S.L.,

I wouldn't suggest carrying all Passports in the same place, as losing six at the same time is going to be a major headache!

A few thoughts to add to the other comments.....

• it doesn't matter whether you "look like tourists".
• keep larger amounts of cash and important documents (Passports) in money belts. Keep daily operating cash in a more easily accessible location.
• don't access money belts where others can see.
• don't leave purses, backpacks, cameras or other items on the back of chairs or sitting in the middle of the table when in restaurants.
• be aware of what's happening and who is around you.
• be especially vigilant when any distractions occur (ie: someone falling when they reach the top of an escalator).
• try not to worry about it too much. You'll likely have a great holiday with no problems.

Money belt and neck wallet with a scarf or collar to hide the ribbons. I wear my money belt off center, and my neck wallet long and center inside my pants so I just go under my shirt to unzip the pocket I want. I do have a small soft black cloth travel bag with a shoulder strap that I wear under one arm for bus tickets. It holds passports too.

I think the best precaution is for each person to have only one luggage each on them. I have only one carryon weighing 15 lbs. total. Excess luggage in number and weight is a big draw for thieves to offer their "help," meaning you lose everything and no one sees them robbing you. This happened to an overloaded gal in my group. It happened so fast.

Once I was on a full bus in Rome when locals started screaming Pickpocket, Pickpocket in Italian. The bus stopped sudden and hard and the entire bus emptied right there. They tried to get me off too, but I didn't know where I was so I stayed put. I turned to look at the Pickpocket and he turned to look at me. I had only my RS money belt and RS neck wallet on and survived that ordeal OK. It's serious business there.

To carry or not to carry passports in an ongoing debate here, I know. That said, I never carry passports when traveling with my husband and 2 kids. I leave them in the hotel. The likelihood that you will be asked to present them by police is miniscule, never happened to me, ever. Maybe if you are breaking a law. I just carry a copy of my passport. I also think that the idea that passports are something people want to steal is very overblown. I think the chances of misplacing them if you carry them around all the time is much greater than losing them in a hotel room. There, I said it.

I never carry passports when travelling
I am of this school. The hotel is for things you don't want to carry around. For longer than I care to remember I've left passport, debit and credit cards, and travel documents at the hotel. I just throw them somewhere in my luggage. Never had any problems.
Don't have more money with you than you think to spend (plus a little extra for just in case). The surplus cash follows the way of the passport. At the hotel.
Don't have all you money items in one basket. It's one thing to lose your money, it's another thing you've lost your bank card as well.
Put the wallet in your day-pack. In a zippered pocket in the inside or, when the day-pack doesn't come with such, in a plastic bag on the bottom.
Have a sixth sense for what's inviting for thieves.

The likelihood that you will be asked to present them by police is miniscule
Exactly. In all the decades I've travelling, I remember two occasions I was asked for a passport when walking around. One was in Iran, the other in Yemen. Both times the officials were quite content with the photocopy. I always have that with me, folded in my wallet.

put two twenty Euro in each shoe ... zip-tie your wallet to your ankle

I was once targeted getting on an escalator in the Paris Metro. Pickpockets often operate in mass. In our case, one guy was in front of my wife, and he took a dive at the base of the escalator. People started falling and falling in a big pile. And that's when a number of pickpockets went to work on those that fell.
All they're after is cash. Credit cards or anything with names on it get'em caught.

My wife now follows me closely in high risk locations like subways and train stations, as she carries nothing with her--no purse, no camera, no money, no credit cards. I also have nothing in sight--and carry no wallet. Americans have a tendency to be too mannerly when they're in Europe, however we are hyper vigilant in "our space." We are no longer nice to anyone that gets close to us. And at 6'3" and 230 lbs., there are better targets out there than me.
What gets me is that all train stations and metros have cameras and all the authorities know the pickpockets very well. Why don't they take a more proactive attempt to take'em off the streets. They seem to be accepted members of society instead of what they really are.

"What gets me is that all train stations and metros have cameras and all the authorities know the pickpockets very well. Why don't they take a more proactive attempt to take'em off the streets. They seem to be accepted members of society instead of what they really are."

Even if the authorities know who they are, this probably comes down to a question of how much cost and manpower resources to devote to petty crime. Even if they do manage to nab one of the scammers they have to ensure they have solid evidence, and it takes time to get them through the courts. Even if they are convicted, the sentence is minimal and they'll be back to their old tricks the day they're released from jail.

Money belts are a nuisance but are probably a good idea at transfer time, when you transfer from city to city and you must mind your children and the luggage all at once. Tranfers are actually the moments you are most vulnerable. In particular you will be most vulnerable at the train stations, as those are the primary theaters of operation of pick pockets (particularly gypsies), as they know that people are most vulnerable because travelers are trying to figure out how to purchase tickets, how to find the right platform and are often encumbered by luggage. Say no to anybody who offers help to carry your luggage, unless they are the official porters with the yellow vest.
Therefore wear important stuff in money belts at least when you are at Venice S.Lucia station, Florence SMN station, Naples Centrale. I presume you are flying to BCN. Airports are safer, just take a taxi from there to the hotel (and viceversa).
Once you are in your hotel, place your valuables in the safe. The hotel safe is the safest place. I don't carry my passport with me, I leave it in the hotel safe. I know others don't agree because the law says yadayadayah. The hell with the law. I've never been asked to produce a passport while touring a city, and when I was asked to produce ID (like to buy a SIM, or to purchase with a credit card), my California Driver's License worked just as well. Just make photocopies of your US passports and carry a photocopy with you. No Italian (or Spanish) policeman will arrest you for having left the passport at the hotel. Just carry another form of ID (drivers' license) and photocopy of US passport, and if asked to produce ID by a policeman (never happens) just say you left in hotel because you are afraid of thieves (Thieves is LADRI in Italian, LADRONES in Spanish, VOLEURS in French).
Don't use buses while in Rome, Florence, Naples, Barcelona (don't know about Cannes, I only drove there). Crowded buses (subways) are another places where pick pockets lurk. Venice's vaporetti (water buses) are safer because they are rarely that crowded and thieves have a hard time getting off (unless they dive in the water). High speed trains are safe. Tickets are too expensive for thieves to invest in them. 90% of pickpockets occur on crowded buses/subways. While traveling within a city, walk or take a taxi instead. Do so especially when you transfer from the hotel to the station and viceversa and you have luggage with you. As I mentioned above, that's the time when you are most vulnerable.

We traveled around this summer in Paris, among other places, as a group of 6, grandparents, parents and 2 pre teens. The adults all had money belts but didn't wear them every day. We each had 1 different credit card in an easy to get to place. None of us had more cash in our pocket or purse than we were prepared to lose.

After a week of traveling by bike, foot, boat and metro the 10 year old with the new tiny black cross body "purse" (about 4"x6"), swung her purse around her neck one day, looked at me and said

grandma, Paris is great, I haven't been pick pocketed once!

Don't make your family paranoid, just be observant of your surroundings and have a good time.

If you hate the waist belts there are alternatives----I prefer a leg belt much more comfortable for me---eagle creek and Austin house sell them. My wife wear a neck pouch but wears it cross body under one arm. Both can be easily accessed.

Paul

We keep just about everything in a Pacsafe bag when transferring from location to location but otherwise our passports, extra cards and bulk of our cash go into the hotel safe; we don't carry it around. Both of us have a very small cloth zippered bag we pin to the underside of our waistbands - virtually invisible and comfortable - for one card and/or enough cash for the day. We often have some petty cash in an exterior pocket for easy access but never an amount we can't afford to lose. Don't hang a bag with anything in it that you don't want taken off the back of a chair or set it down by your feet.

A lot of it is just keeping your wits about you, appearing confident, and not walking around clutching a bag (or your middle) like there's something there worth taking.

Agree with what Roberto said.
My family of four are just back from 3 weeks in Italy and generally felt quite safe whilst there.
Two points - high speed trains are a comfortable way to travel, and I would recommend booking in advance in Premier/Business Class with a reserved seat. This is relatively cheap and being prepared and organized gives more control and less opportunity for pickpockets and thieves to take advantage of flustered travelers. Keep hold of your luggage whilst boarding and decline offers of assistance. Luggage on board is a little awkward to store, but there is always room.
Also, watch out on buses - I was almost caught-out in Pisa boarding a bus with the family. I had noticed a young pregnant lady in the queue (just didn't look right) and got caught behind her as she blocked the aisle near the driver. There was a bit of confusion as I tried to talk to the driver and get the kids on board. I was being jostled around a bit - then she promptly hopped off the bus before we drove off. The zip on my bag was opened, but nothing was taken (I didn't have much in there anyway). It reminded me to trust my instincts and be aware of my surroundings.
In my experience, they are opportunist and not aggressive - just keep control of your possessions and remain alert, not alarmed:)
Have fun.

SL, I've only been to Italy twice so far, but about 24 days altogether. Don't get too nervous by the pickpocket threads. As you are traveling with three young children you will have your hands full at times. Consequently, I suggest a pacsafe or travelon cross body purse. The zippers lock so pickpockets can't get to your valuables, and there is usually a zippered interior pocket as well for deep storage, providing even another barrier. Keep the cross body bag on all day…don't take it off except in your hotel room. I suggest your mother get one as well for backup. As far at the passports are concerned, when not in transport you can leave them in your hotel room in your luggage or safe if you want, and carry copies. You can divide the passports between the adults if you decide to carry them. When in long transport on trains, I sometimes use a leg wallet and wear boot cut pants, but if you keep the purse cross body attached to you, I believe you will be fine. I find my leg wallet really comfortable, but I don't think 3 passports would fit. When in the airports, you must show the passports at both ends of the flight anyway, so I wouldn't bother with a money belt then regardless. I'm more apt to use the money belt when I'm traveling alone to protect my ATM card and extra CC, and you will not be alone so that's one less worry. In summary, lock you purse to pickpockets and keep it on you at all times when out, and you will be fine. I took my daughter to Italy as her first overseas trip when she was young, but maybe not as your as yours, so your post brings back lovely memories. Best wishes for a great trip. Wray

Thank you all for such helpful replies! I feel more at ease now and just look forward to our trip! If you know of any good restaurants to visit (now I am thinking of food) in Venice, Florence, Rome, Barcelona please let me know! :-)