Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tourists attractions.
Whether it's the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Trevi Fountain in Rome, or
the Charles Bridge in Prague, it isn't a surprise that pickpockets hang out in busy tourist spots.
Naturally, tourists are more concerned about viewing the sights and taking photos than being
attentive to their surroundings.
Pickpockets love big crowds.
Public transportation.
Subways and city buses are prime spots for pickpockets—and after
living in Paris, I've seen my fair share of pickpockets on the Paris Metro. Public transportation
is a great place for a pickpocket because it is often very crowded and it is easy for thieves to
create confusion. Pickpockets normally target large metro/subway stations where many trans-
it lines converge because it gives them plenty of places to exit if they're being chased by the
police.
Museums.
During the summer, Europe's most popular museums swell to maximum capa-
city and there are bound to be a few pickpockets among the lot. While the admission price
deters most pickpockets, it doesn't stop all of them from preying on unsuspecting visitors who
are simply enjoying the art. In fact, in 2013 the workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris went
on strike because the pickpockets were getting so bad.
Train stations.
Trains stations are large, crowded, and full of confused tourists with their
hands full of cumbersome luggage—which is exactly the kind of environment pickpockets
love.
Restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Many people let their guard down when they're enjoying a
meal or a drink, so it is easy for a crook to sneakily snatch a purse from the back of a chair or
a mobile phone from the top of a table.
he beach.
Pay attention to your stuff when you're at the beach. Don't leave your bag un-
attended or out of sight because there is a good chance someone might snatch them. And no,
hiding things in your shoes isn't fooling anyone.
Retail stores.
Clothing and departments stores in Europe can get extremely
crowded—especially around the holidays. It is an easy place for a pickpocket to target tourists
that are usually carrying a lot of money.
TRICKS PICKPOCKETS USE
