Rome: Avoiding pickpockets

The Colosseum

A favorite site and a hot spot for pickpockets

Avoiding Pickpockets.

Most instances of pickpocketing could have been avoided by following a few simple rules about how you manage your personal space and belongings.  The pickpockets are professionals and they are very good at what they do, but there are simple ways to prevent them from doing it to you.

• Hold your purses and bags correctly.  One of the major methods of pickpocketing is executed with the use of a razor blade to slice open the bottom of a purse.  In the short time this occurs, the woman wearing the purse is clutching it protectively  and she won't know what hit her until she realizes her wallet's been stolen.  Make sure the zipper is closed and near your body.  Remember to hold your purse over the side and at the bottom.
• Do not carry lots of cash or valuables with you.  This should be common sense, but most people who get pick-pocketed loose hundreds of dollars at once.  Debit and check cards are excepted all over the city; 20 to 50 Eu is usually enough to carry on you for any purchases you may need to make in cash.
• Wear your cash, cards, and valuables on your body.  Pockets and purses are not the best place for these items.  Here is a great site where you can purchase many clever travel pouches, designed to hide and keep your belongings safe: Changes in Latitude Travel Store. 
• Latch on to your bags and cameras.  Don't let your items hang loose, someone may just run by and grab them.  Make sure you have its strap wrapped around your wrist.    

      A funny story: (Do not attempts to repeat the actions in this story).  My friend's grandmother (a very petite woman) was riding on the subway while visiting in Rome when a man, who pegged her as an easy target, ran up and grabbed her camera.  Fortunately, she had the wrist strap secured and instead of making off with the camera, she smacked him across the face and told him he should be ashamed.  The man scurried away, empty handed and embarrassed.


Below is another good link for more advice on avoiding the pickpockets in Rome:
http://www.msadventuresinitaly.com/blog/2007/07/09/how-to-avoid-a-pickpocket/