Tell friends you are taking a city break to Barcelona and the word ‘pickpocket’ always seems to crop up. The city has a reputation for petty crime which blights its otherwise excellent name as one of the most civilised cities in Europe. But is the reputation deserved, and is Barcelona any worse than other major city break destinations?
The Ramblas, the Metro and other tourist hotspots do seem to attract criminals with a variety of scams. Be on your guard at all times, particularly if someone bumps in to you, or offers to clean something off your clothes. If a band of somewhat dishevelled women gather round you pretending to sell you a map, get your hands straight to your pockets. These women are skilled at their chosen profession and will be in your pockets, even if zipped, in seconds.
Other Spanish cities have a similar problem. Madrid has the ‘mapselling’ gangs of women – I was once surrounded by a gang leaving the Retriro Park waving scruffy maps in my face and actually caught a scrawny hand inside a pocket as I realised immediately what was happening. Be careful about retaliating, however, as the gang may well have ‘protectors’ nearby.
Seville has a poor reputation too. Pick-pockets and bag-snatchers, sometimes using scooters, operate in the Andalusian city. They often target tourists’ cars caught in the heavy traffic, particularly if car windows are open because of the searing heat. After snatching something through the window at traffic lights, they will be away at speed with pursuit through the narrow streets near impossible.
Before asking why little seems to be done to stamp out the problems by the Spanish authorities, UK visitors should remember the situation in London. As well as the numerous pickpockets on Oxford Street and elsewhere, gangs of Albanian children work the city’s bars, stealing handbags and laptops by the thousand, on a daily basis.
Some offenders in London have been caught hundreds of times, but are released without charge and seemingly go straight back to work. It’s been a problem for years yet little is done by the authorities. Having said that, the more responsible bar operators have increased their own security and warn customers of the risk if anything is left unguarded.
Other cities like Paris, Rome and Naples have major problems too. Many visitors have lost their money within minutes of arriving at a Paris railway station. The thieves know a stranger to the city will be focused on finding their way to the taxi rank, or the Metro, and know when their victims are at their most vulnerable. Rome and Naples have had scooter-driving thieves for years, often snatching necklaces as well as handbags, causing physical as well as financial damage.
While often describes as ‘petty crimes’, and seemingly getting more rather than less common, the answer is to think through your security before you leave. Do use money belts or clothing with hidden ‘security’ pockets. Do spread your credit cards around your person and make sure your passport is as secure as possible. If your hotel has a safe, use it. Carry as little around as possible and don’t wear much jewellery.
In particular, be vigilent and avoid helping the thieves by carrying money in back pockets, leaving handbags open or giving other invitations to the dishonest. If you do get robbed, do report it to the police and get a crime reference number so you can at least claim on your travel insurance.
A few simple precautions will increase your chances of a trouble-free city break. Remember, it’s only a small proportion of visitors who do get robbed. Don’t let the threat ruin your holiday but do avoid the obvious risks. Barcelona, indeed all the cities mentioned, are fabulous places to visit. With a little common-sense, you’ll have a trouble-free holiday.
