Pickpocket Paranoia!

timefortea

I'm going to Barcelona in the summer and have read lots about how many pickpockets are around. It's bothering me a lot, I don't want my holiday to be ruined.

Do you think that wearing a belt with a pouch on it (like this) will help, or mark me out as even more of a tourist?

I was thinking about taking a small pouch on a belt like that for my money and cards, plus a cross-body bag for my other bits like (cheap) camera and phone. But I've heard that cross-body bags are a bad idea because thieves cut the strap then just rip them off. What are your thoughts?

mynameistallulah

I wear a cross body bag, yes they can cut the strap but the likelihood of them doing that in a busy area is low. Keep your wits about you, a hand over your bag, and you shouldn't have a problem. If you do sense someone trying to get your property, make as much noise and fuss as possible ... in an area full of tourists (and police) a thief does not want to draw attention to himself.

aylithuk

I didn't hear/see anything of this pickpocketing crime going on when I was there. Walking down the La Rambles there were people wearing cameras over shoulders, backpacks with zips undone, tourists wearing 'proud to be from Alabama USA' t-shirts and wallets in back pockets.

I really think the crime is over hyped however I wouldn't be that silly not to take some precautions because there has to be some truth in it. Myself, well I put the money inside my bra!

photome

Been to barcelona once, back in the late 90s, went down las ramblas and caught someone unzipping my bum bag,its the only time I have ever been pickpocketed, all be it they didnt get anything as they done a runner when i realised what was going on .

Great city but be careful

mynameistallulah

aylithuk wrote: »

I didn't hear/see anything of this pickpocketing crime going on when I was there. Walking down the La Rambles there were people wearing cameras over shoulders, backpacks with zips undone, tourists wearing 'proud to be from Alabama USA' t-shirts and wallets in back pockets.

I really think the crime is over hyped however I wouldn't be that silly not to take some precautions because there has to be some truth in it. Myself, well I put the money inside my bra!

One place the problem is not "over hyped" is Barcelona, even their own police acknowledge what a problem it is. Those that walk around as you describe are plain stupid, and not an example to follow.

photome

aylithuk wrote: »

I didn't hear/see anything of this pickpocketing crime going on when I was there. Walking down the La Rambles there were people wearing cameras over shoulders, backpacks with zips undone, tourists wearing 'proud to be from Alabama USA' t-shirts and wallets in back pockets.

I really think the crime is over hyped however I wouldn't be that silly not to take some precautions because there has to be some truth in it. Myself, well I put the money inside my bra!

thats asking for problems

You prob saw them before the pickpockets did

Incapuppy

Useful info here:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g187497-s206/Barcelona:Spain:Health.And.Safety.html

blossomhill_2

Bear this in mind; when shoppers in Oxford St see the signs warning of pickpockets, they subconciously check the pocket/moneybelt etc where they have their cash stashed - making them far easier targets for the pickpockets as they know exactly where the money is

So whether you wear a belt or whatever, don't keep checking it!
Have a good trip

Bob_the_Saver

photome wrote: »

Been to barcelona once, back in the late 90s, went down las ramblas and caught someone unzipping my bum bag,its the only time I have ever been pickpocketed, all be it they didnt get anything as they done a runner when i realised what was going on .

Great city but be careful

Ditto they tried it with me but failed, I carry a dummy wallet anyway with millions of old Turkish Lira (was about 40p I think).
My solution now is steel toe caps, handy in traffic, hand with pickpockets etc if well aimed and handy with those touts in flipflops across Asia "Oh so sorry old chap, was that your toes?"
Not quite so handy in the airport security though.

aylithuk

mynameistallulah wrote: »

One place the problem is not "over hyped" is Barcelona, even their own police acknowledge what a problem it is. Those that walk around as you describe are plain stupid, and not an example to follow.

Maybe but what is the betting that those who are pick pocketed didn't take any precautions? like I described in my post.

Personally if you don't take precautions anywhere then you've only got yourself to blame. I hate it when I see people in the UK leave handbags on the floor or on a empty seat where someone can snatch and grab.

phatbear

barcelona is my go to place for tattoos so i've been a few times.

I've witnessed a few occasions of people getting dipped, mainly on the subway, and even got involved to stop a couple of instances, thing is each person who got dipped were all the same, bags/handbags on their backs rather than around their front.

Thing is to just stay aware of your surroundings and you'll be tickety boo