Did you know that each day an estimated 400,000 pick pocket incidents occur around the world? This statistic puts pick pocketing as one of the most frequent crimes inflicted upon tourists. You may think you’ve done a good job at disguising yourself from appearing as a tourist, but pick-pocketers do it for a living and are great at spotting tourists.
Being robbed is miserable regardless of where you are, but is even worse when you are in a foreign country: Especially if you are stripped of the only copy of your credit card, or even worse, your passport. Therefore, it is imperative that tourists are aware of the regularity of pick pocketing and do the best they can to avoid becoming a victim.
Unfortunately, pick-pocketers have mastered the tricks of the trade and have more than one trick up their sleeves. There are many approaches to pick-pocketing, so the best thing for you to do is to always be aware of your belongings and your surroundings. While I was abroad, I was extremely paranoid about pick-pocketers and always walked around with my hand on my satchel. Another satchel tip is to wear the satchel with the pockets facing inside, rather than the outside. This ensures people don’t have easy access to zippers or pockets. I know it may not be the most fashionable way to sport your satchel, but I promise it is worth it!
So, remember, pick-pocketers are everywhere and especially present in Europe! Be sure to pay close attention to your surroundings so that you don’t end up with empty pockets during your trip!
Check out the list below of the ten worst cities for pick-pocketers around the world before you embark on your next adventure!
1. Barcelona, Spain
2. Rome, Italy
3. Prague, Czech Republic
4. Madrid, Spain
5. Paris, France
6. Florence, Italy
7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
9. Athens, Greece
10. Hanoi, Vietnam