World's Worst Pickpocket Destinations 2010

Shaun Conlin - Evergeek Media - September 15, 2010

Expedia-owned travel site TripAdvisor just released findings on this year's worst tourist destinations for pickpocketing. For the second year running Barcelona tops the "TripAdvisor Pickpocket Index" and London enters the top ten for the first time.

The 2010 Pickpocket Index is based solely on TripAdvisor site data and a calculation of the number of times travellers use the term "pickpocket" (and translations of) in their TripAdvisor online reviews in the last 12 months.

Curiously, all ten spots in this year's list are in Europe. TripAdvisor does note that London is a new entry this year, a destination that sees some 26 million tourists annually.

Global Pickpocket Top Ten 2010

1. Barcelona, Spain

2. Rome, Italy

3. Paris, France

4. Madrid, Spain

5. Athens, Greece

6. Prague, Czech Republic

7. Costa Brava (Alicante Province), Spain

8. Lisbon, Portugal

9. Tenerife, Spain

10. London, England

The TripAdvisor study also lists tips to avoid being pickpocketed, which seasoned travelers might refer to as common sense. To wit:

a) Maintain vigilance, especially in crowded tourist areas and on public transport.

b) Avoid letting others see where you keep your money - be as inconspicuous as possible when paying for things.

c) Keep all valuables on your person and close to you at all times, preferably in front of your body. Wear your backpack under your arm rather than on your back.

d) If you must carry a purse or bag, choose one that you can carry across your chest.

e) Store money and credit cards in a money belt around your waist or neck.

f) Place the strap of a purse or backpack under your chair leg to deter pickpockets while you are seated at a restaurant. Never leave a bag hanging on back of your chair.

g) Leave anything you don't need (i.e. passports, tickets) locked in your hotel safe. Take only one credit card and a small amount of cash out each day.

In the interest of not doing anybody any favours, TripAdvisor did not release details on the least likely places to provoke the keyword pickpocket.

Copyright Evergeek Media 2010.

 

Did you notice one thing? They are all European cities.

 

My uncle and aunt were vistims of pickpocketing in Barcelona. They are pros over there.....its an artform for sure

 

Now this *is*, despite what we may have though of prior & future DenzBenz threads, is a VALIUD & VITAL topic to discuss..


For the sake of potential future international travellers & their overall safety, well-being, & enjoyment in saidf fiefdom if nothing else.

Hey, even folks like RUDY MAXA, RICK STEEVES, & BURT WOLFF have, most likely expounded on same in *their* travel articles & telly programmes...

So, no beef against this from *me*..


THIS time!



'Nuff Said!!!!

















OpinionsCartoonStudios@Yahoo.Co.UK

 

tips to help prevent pick pocketing. and of course the best piece of advice is to think in advance.

For men:​

- The target areas are back trouser pockets, and suitcoat and sports jacket pockets, located inside and out. A pickpocket who values his freedom avoids front trouser pockets, and especially buttoned or zipped pockets.

- If it is necessary to carry your wallet in an unbuttoned pants, coat or jacket pocket, be sure it contains only what you can afford to lose. Keep large sums of money, credit cards, ID’s, etc. in your front pocket or any buttoned or zipped pocket; keys an a chain attached to your clothing.

- Never “pat” your pocket to see if your wallet is still there. This notifies the criminal of the location of your valuables.

- Larger size “pocket secretaries” are especially inviting to pickpockets – and relatively easy to steal.

For women:​

- Do NOT carry your wallet in your purse. Conceal it in a coat or sweater pocket where it doesn’t show a bulge.

- Use a purse that is difficult or time consuming to open.

- Never let your purse lie unattended on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart.

 

I always have my hands in my sweatshirt pockets and my sweatshirts are always oversized so they are hella long. I'd still be worried about getting got though.