If you are thinking of Italy as a destination please read about the pickpockets and how to prevent becoming a victim. In Rome they are so blatant it is unreal. Mo had her purse stolen from her zipped jacket pocket. We believe outside St Peters Square. Within minutes they had managed to run up £2500 on her credit card. The Police were worse than useless and we were sent from pillar to post until we got angry and insisted they take a report.
The next day I was targeted twice on the Metro once by a group of 12 year olds who surrounded me when getting on the tube blocking my way. I am 5’ 10” and nearly 17stone. luckily I realised what was happening and was able to push them off. The same thing happened to me again the next day by an older group I barged my way through them one was still trying to hold on to me until he realise the rest had jumped off the tube and quickly got off himself. Nobody cared. I informed the people who work on the metro who told me they knew about the problem and I should contact the police. I said you got a phone you contact them. I just got a blank look.
The advice from the web sites will be invaluable not just for Italy but for any other Country. What takes you by surprise is the way they do it in front of everyone. After a while you can spot them yourself so the Police could easily deal with it.
Some advice there is a lot more if you look
· Carry only one day's worth of money in your wallet or purse. If your wallet or purse is stolen, it will be inconvenient, but it won't ruin your trip.
· Get a money belt, neck pouch, leg wallet, or other under-the-clothes money holder In it keep your passport, your "big" money, and credit and ATM cards you won't need that day. If you need to access it during the day, step into a restroom, changing room, or somewhere out of view - don't let people see where you are keeping your goodies.
· NO wallets in back pockets.
· Purses should be worn across the body and in front of you.
· At restaurants, keep purses, backpacks, and cameras/camera bags on the table, in your lap, or between your feet on the floor with a leg through the strap. DON'T hang them on the chair or put them on the seat next to you.
· Always stay in physical contact with all your possessions at all times when in public - suitcases, backpacks, purses, everything.
· Beware of diversions - a scuffle or argument, someone bumping you, someone asking you for directions (you're a tourist, why would you know?), someone random engaging you in a conversation (you're one of a million tourists, so you aren't exactly exotic), someone trying to "help" you. While you're distracted, their partner may be cleaning you out.
· In crowds and on mass transit, wear backpacks on your front.
· Be alert to what's going on around you, ESPECIALLY at train stations and on and around the metro/buses, in crowds, and around major tourist attractions. The Colosseum area is famous for pickpockets, as is Bus 64 that runs between the train station and the Vatican.
· As was added below by I_Heart_Venice, also be alert when shopping, especially at open air markets, and when you have your wallet out to pay for something. "Pay close attention to your surroundings, particularly when you are least inclined to pay attention to your surroundings." Good advice indeed.
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The next day I was targeted twice on the Metro once by a group of 12 year olds who surrounded me when getting on the tube blocking my way. I am 5’ 10” and nearly 17stone. luckily I realised what was happening and was able to push them off. The same thing happened to me again the next day by an older group I barged my way through them one was still trying to hold on to me until he realise the rest had jumped off the tube and quickly got off himself. Nobody cared. I informed the people who work on the metro who told me they knew about the problem and I should contact the police. I said you got a phone you contact them. I just got a blank look.
The advice from the web sites will be invaluable not just for Italy but for any other Country. What takes you by surprise is the way they do it in front of everyone. After a while you can spot them yourself so the Police could easily deal with it.
Some advice there is a lot more if you look
· Carry only one day's worth of money in your wallet or purse. If your wallet or purse is stolen, it will be inconvenient, but it won't ruin your trip.
· Get a money belt, neck pouch, leg wallet, or other under-the-clothes money holder In it keep your passport, your "big" money, and credit and ATM cards you won't need that day. If you need to access it during the day, step into a restroom, changing room, or somewhere out of view - don't let people see where you are keeping your goodies.
· NO wallets in back pockets.
· Purses should be worn across the body and in front of you.
· At restaurants, keep purses, backpacks, and cameras/camera bags on the table, in your lap, or between your feet on the floor with a leg through the strap. DON'T hang them on the chair or put them on the seat next to you.
· Always stay in physical contact with all your possessions at all times when in public - suitcases, backpacks, purses, everything.
· Beware of diversions - a scuffle or argument, someone bumping you, someone asking you for directions (you're a tourist, why would you know?), someone random engaging you in a conversation (you're one of a million tourists, so you aren't exactly exotic), someone trying to "help" you. While you're distracted, their partner may be cleaning you out.
· In crowds and on mass transit, wear backpacks on your front.
· Be alert to what's going on around you, ESPECIALLY at train stations and on and around the metro/buses, in crowds, and around major tourist attractions. The Colosseum area is famous for pickpockets, as is Bus 64 that runs between the train station and the Vatican.
· As was added below by I_Heart_Venice, also be alert when shopping, especially at open air markets, and when you have your wallet out to pay for something. "Pay close attention to your surroundings, particularly when you are least inclined to pay attention to your surroundings." Good advice indeed.
:thumb:
