How to outsmart Pickpockets in Europe

Travelling in Europe is not scary; petty theft is a reality, but you don’t want to make it easy for them. It does not take much to protect your belongings and outsmart pickpockets. If someone does have a go, they will be the ones momentarily disappointed, and you will have a funny story to tell of the day you outsmarted a pickpocket because you were prepared.

Picture this you are standing at a train station, large bulky bags and a backpack on your back. Your train pulls in, and you climb onto the train with all the luggage. All of a sudden, in the hustle, you feel somebody’s hands slip into your jacket pocket, you smack them away, and it’s all done. One way to outsmart a pickpocket.

This happened to Phil as we boarded a train in Milan, but he was prepared even though he was distracted.

This was not an isolated incident. I have spoken to many a traveller who has fallen victim to petty crime whilst travelling, some losing money or property and others besting the pickpocket. Protecting your belongings is simpler than you think.

Unfortunately, pickpockets in Europe are common; you are less likely to be the victim of a violent crime, but petty crimes like scams and pickpockets, especially in tourist or bustling areas, are common.

Below we will look at some simple ways to make sure you are less of an easy target.

Pickpockets target rich-looking tourists and tourists who seem vulnerable. Let’s not look like an easy target. Let’s be prepared. 

Money Belts

When moving locations, wear a money belt. Now there are lots of different “money Belts”. If you have cash, you can get a literal belt that holds cash. For those times you have more than only cash, you can get larger money belts that fit discreetly around your waist under your clothes, or maybe a money pouch suits you better. Small money pouches go around your neck or hide in your bra.

Outsmart Pickpockets on Public Transport

Transport hubs often come with another stress level as you carry extra luggage with you. Keep your gear with you at all times. When getting on and off trains, keep your eyes open and, if possible, have your travel companion help you. Phil was targeted as he struggled with the luggage; it is a common scenario.

Whether on the train or at stations, watch your luggage. This can be a most opportune moment for an agile thief to make off with your belongings.

If you plan to sleep on a train, make sure that your stuff is safe. You could consider using a lock or Carabiner hook to secure your belongings to whatever you’re sleeping on so that things can’t be just snatched out from under you while you sleep; they are more likely to disturb you while they try to get at your belongings.

Outsmart Pickpockets with your bag. 

Make sure your bag is secure. Don’t ever just leave your bag on the floor under a chair. There are lots of different brands of anti-theft travel bags out there. I’ve used Pacsafe for a while now, and I quite like them. I’ve got a few of them. I use the Pacsafe Citysafe 200. I have tried other styles but keep returning to this one. This is one way I feel a little like I outsmart pickpockets. These bags have heaps of features to deter me from being an easy target.

It has a lockable zipper, anti-slash with webbing in the liner, and a strap that is also slash-proof. Another feature is an RFID pocket that fits our passports in it. If you don’t have a lockable bag, take some twist ties for when you want the extra security. I don’t always lock my bag, but it’s nice to be able to. 

I always make sure I have hold of my bag most of the time. As a tourist, I take lots of pictures; I am super careful not to leave my bag on the ground even while getting that perfect shot. I really love my bag because I mostly wear it like an over-the-shoulder bag, but when I need to, I can extend the strap turning it into a comfortable crossbody bag. 

This one is mostly for men, don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket; this is asking for a pickpocket to help themselves. Phil has his wallet in a front pocket, then uses his hand as another level of defence and outsmarts pickpockets. 

A good rule of thumb on non-travel days is don’t carry more than what you need for the day; you could get more from an ATM if needed.

Avoid getting in the middle of Commotions and Crowds

When in busy tourist spots, you can almost always guarantee there are people sneakily helping themselves to other people’s valuables; stay vigilant to those around you. 

 If something looks exciting and the crowds clamouring around, stay back and don’t get involved. Often, it will be a ruse to get you distracted and take your money. Also, be aware of those scams, like 3 cups or a card trick; as the crowds build, you can be pretty sure that it is not just the players being taken advantage of.

Cafes

Remember, these guys are making a living and will take any opportunity, they are quick, and you won’t see it coming. With that in mind, be careful about where you sit at an outdoor cafe and be aware of your belongings. I love outdoor dining and spending a quiet moment watching the world go by. Just be mindful of where you are sitting and how accessible your belongings would be to passers-by. 

Cafes are another great place a lock on your bag can be handy. Be aware of what you leave on the table as these are very easy pickings, especially if sitting at a corner or outside. People can be opportunists; if they see something that is easy to snatch, they just may help themselves.

In your Hotel

Hotel theft does happen; it’s not the most common type of robbery. If you’ve got a camera, laptop or any other electrical device in your room, don’t leave them out in the open. Most hotels offer a safe for passports, phones (iPad or computers if they fit), and other valuables. 

 If you feel your travel insurance does not cover enough, look at extra theft insurance. Yet another reason travel insurance is so important and making sure you have a policy that covers you and your belongings adequately.

Protect yourself from identity theft.

As I mentioned, my bags have an RFID pocket; identity theft is something you don’t even know is happening. If you don’t have an RFID pocket in your wallet or purse, never fret; you can buy pouches for your passport or cardholders for your credit cards.

Outsmart Pickpockets by Packing light

I opened with the story about someone taking advantage of Phil being busy with big heavy bags as we boarded a train in Milan. If we had less luggage, Phil would not have been such an easy target. It took us a few trips to get it right, but our last trip to Europe was our first liberating experience packing light. Why not check out this post to see what we took.

Before you leave home, Make Copies.

Leave a copy of your essential documents somewhere safe. Important Documents include passports, airline tickets, travel insurance policies, credit card numbers, car hire vouchers, and other bookings-related paperwork. Make sure someone knows where you have them stored. This is important for so many reasons. This is more about insurance in case something happens than outsmarting a pickpocket.

Have you ever had someone pick your pocket?