Crime in Barcelona?

Check out the Graffiti wall section. There's a few posts there that are worth a read.
I don't feel safe anywhere. When posters claim that a destination is perfectly safe I always shake my head!
Always keep your guard up and be aware of your surroundings. Always anticipate the worse case senario. Always take preventative, proactive measures to hopefully avoid the avoidable!
Yes, anticipate pickpockets in Barcelona! I've not experienced this but know of others who have. These days, I expect there to be pickpockets in every crowd and plan accordingly. Follow the tips posted here on this site and you'll be armed with the right information. All you have to do is put it into action!
But by all means, enjoy Barcelona! Just take precautions!

Safe Travels,
F/A

I don't want to unfairly condemn Barcelona (because it's in my top 3 of all time fave cities!) but in all my research, I did come across more comments/warnings about BCN than any other city. Before I went, I had 3 different people tell me of their own pickpocketing experiences in BCN (including a backpack snatched out of a bike basket and a purse cut off someone!). While there, I saw 2 purse snatchings from unsuscpecting diners at sidewalk cafes.
I felt perfectly safe in the city though. Just use common sense such as avoiding isolated areas after dark and do research in advance so you know which areas to avoid all together.
As far as avoiding pickpocket,(and would say the same for travel to any city)women should not carry a shoulder purse but do something cross body and keep in front of you (for extra security, get bag with metal cable through it so it can't be cut). No backpacks or fanny packs for men or women. Do money belt under clothes. In cafes, always hold bag (not on chair)

Just keep in mind that anything draped across the body, even when kept in front of you, can not only be cut off but also can be used to hold you in a choking position. We learned that in self-defense trainning.

With a couple of quick, skilled movements an attacker can grab the strap from the side or behind and bring it up to your neck. I was amazed! I'm really glad our instructor showed us how quickly and easily this could happen! I try not to drape anything across my body anymore, not even in front of me. If I absolutely had to, I'd try to conceal the strap under a jacket, making it more difficult to be "pulled" from the side or back.

I was in Barcelona in April/May. I was with a group of 14, 4 out of the 14 had attempted pickpockets or snatchings. None were successful. I always carry a money belt and have my bag across me. The bag across me has nothing in it that is not a hassle to replace. The citizens of Barcelona are VERY upset about the pickpocketing and are many times intervening if they see something. I thought this was part of the scam, but my cousin (who lives in BCN) told me otherwise. There are police everywhere, but still be mindful. NEVER stop at the shell games or any other activity on the Ramblas. I love Barcelona the city is just beautiful. Don't let it stop you from having a good time. -Kim

We just returned from Europe, 2 days in Barcelona, and we were not bothered by pickpockets. However, we had read of the dangers and were very aware of our surroundings at all times. I was a little apprehensive before arriving, but it would be a shame to miss a beautiful city like Barcelona for this reason. It was a clean and most interesting city. The people running our hotel and several others in restaurants warned us to be careful, so as mentioned previously, the people of Barcelona are aware of this problem and are there to help and remind you. We don't always wear are money belts, but did in Barcelona. I did carry a shoulder bag, because with a SLR camera that is a little heavy it was imperative.

We were in Barcelona in March and we loved the city, but we did witness a few pickpocket attempts. One was on the crowded subway and the others were along the Ramblas. We've never seen that in the other cities we've been to and we otherwise loved Barcelona, but we definitely sensed it was a little more rampant here than elsewhere in Europe.

I've been living in Spain for a number of years now, and although I've witnessed several pickpocket attempts, I've never actually had a bad personal experience. Almost always, the pickpockets are provided an opportunity by tourists who think that they are in "Wonderland" rather than Europe. Behave just as you would in the major city closest to your hometown and you will have no trouble whatsoever.

I agree with adynata. Barcelona is like any Big City. Be aware, keep your valuables in the hotel safe, and bring only what you need for the day.

Barcelona is a wonderful city but you have to be cautious as in any place.

I was in Barcelona a year ago and another person in our party had a forward facing fanny pack picked in a crowded subway. She thought it was safe because it was right there in front of her but they got away with everything in it. Several times I had people in the crowded subway brush up against me in a way that I thought they were checking my pockets but I was using a money belt. Funny story -- while on the Ramblas I had put a couple of feminine hygiene pads in my back pocket since none of us were carrying purses and someone tried to pick that. I suddenly realized it was hanging out my back pocket. None of us saw the person but I would have loved to have seen their face when they saw what it was!! All that being said, if you are careful and use a money belt you should be okay. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities and it would be a shame to miss it.

I was in Barcelona for first time in May. No problems at all. I did observe some travelers talking with Spanish police on La Rambla. It appeared they were the victims of a pick pocket. I can say, I never felt unsafe, just used caution and vigilance where I wandered. No problems on the metro at all, use common sense, don't get drunk or call attention to yourself - you will just blend in with everybody else.

We were approached by a couple of gypsy women outside Sagrada Familia - just say no and walk away.

Enjoy! Barcelona is very fabulous and enchanting.

We were there 2 years ago in March. Low tourist season and we felt safe walking.

I didn't carry a purse but I did have a little pack for my umbrella and stuff I did not care about.

Our hotel was in the outskirts of the city, close to the metro station. My husband and I didn't feel scared at all... and I am a 4 foot 9 woman.

You have to be careful, keep the minimal valuable on you, and be aware. Don't allow yourself to be pickpocketed by keeping aware as a group (even if its the 2 of you).

The subway was fine, and we also didn't travel late at night. We were in the hotel by 11:30 pm which is early, but at least we got an early start the next day.

We were in Barcelona last year and felt perfectly safe, had a WONDERFUL time and did not experience anything bad. Of course, we always take precautions while traveling. I always leave my rings and anything that might attract attention at home and carry just enough $ in my wallet for the day. We never carry any expensive cameras or other things that if stolen would be devastating.
So keeping these few things in mind, just go and have fun and don't worry about your possessions. Leave passports in the room safe along with extra cash and you'll have great time! We would say you should be especially cautious on the Rambla (a huge pedestrian mall in the middle of town) where all tourists hang out, but don't worry too much.

I was on the Metro in Barcelona and was wearing a backpack purse that has a zipper in the back of the purse, along my back, that I kept my money and camera in. Unless you know it's there you don't look for it and, even if you do know it's there, you have to reach between the purse and my body to unzip it so it's hard to steal from. Some guy and his girlfriend were making out next to me so I of course wasn't looking at them. I discovered right after they got off the train that my purse had been opened...I'm assuming it was the guy. Luckily, all that was in the main portion of my purse was my guidebook and a hoody so he didn't get anything. Since then I've heard a lot of stories from other people about pickpockets in Barcelona so I would definitely use a money belt or other precautions during your trip.