Pickpockets, Barcelona and Madrid ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Pickpockets, Barcelona and Madrid

Replies: 45 - Last Post: 23-Jun-2007 13:17 Last Post By: gawkabout

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Posted
24-Apr-2007 02:51
by: bbj41

Posts: 79
Registered: 21/09/05

Pickpockets, Barcelona and Madrid

Hope this helps some of you traveling to Barcelona, Madrid, and other cities.

Being paranoid about pickpockets is not the answer on your trips through Spain, but being alret, in my opinion, is. In my 5 months here, 3 times I have avoided crafty pickpockets by paying attention, but this past saturday was the icing on the cake. While in Sants Estacio, a Japanese tourist had his camera nearly stolen while passing through the turnstyle. I alerted him and he got security and the guy was caught. 6 hrs later in Plaza Reial, between Il Born and La Rambla I heard my friend talking with a guy on a side street leading into the plaza by the bar Sidecar. The guy asked him for a cigarette and when he obliged the man began the famous "leg hook dance" in which the thief will put his arm around your shoulders and try a "can-can" like dance while hooking his foot with yours to distract you. While you are wondering what is going on he is deep in your pocket. This same thing happened to me on Nou de Rambla on the corner with La Rambla outside of Spar, and in Plaza del Sol in Madrid. On saturday, I pushed him off, my friends wallet fell out of his hand on the ground, and the Mossos d´esquadra were there promptly. This scam is so common and so few new travelers know about it. It can happen to any person because these guys are pros. And it doesnt only happen on La Rambla, it happens by other touristy areas that you will want to visit. So, if you are going out to Bar hop anywhere popular, or just to stroll look for this scam. And, if you see anybody about to fall victim, alert the police, what goes around comes around.

Travel Well,
Jeremy

Posted
24-Apr-2007 03:24
by: IncaKola

Posts: 450
Registered: 30/03/02

1

Last October I was pick-pocketed in the Metro by a Bosnian woman in her thirties accompanied by her younger sister. Someone caught my attention and told me the woman had stolen my wallet. Luckily I could catch her upon which she threw my wallet on the metro floor. Seconds after I pushed her out of the metro wagon three security agents came and alerted the police. The next day she was trialled, it happened to be the 30th she was appearing in Madrid justice. Watch out when taking public transportation.
PS: don’t take pictures in metro & train stations as I had to delete all pictures made in the Barcelona station.

Posted
24-Apr-2007 05:47
by: Belsa

Posts: 1,164
Registered: 18/03/02

2

Quote
Being paranoid about pickpockets is not the answer on your trips through Spain, but being alert, in my opinion, is

I agree with this, but I would add NOT ONLY SPAIN, but any touristy place. More tourists = more easy money for pickpockets. I had my purse stolen many years ago (I've to admit I was a young, inexperienced traveler, and half-drunk :)
Later I've been nearly pickpoketed or I've friends who actually were in Barcelona (were I do live now), Rome, Naples, Paris, London, Athens and NYC. These the ones I know...

by the way, I fail to understand how so many people don't suspect there is something odd on someone who starts pushing and "dancing" with a complete stranger. A very different thing are the truly professionals who snatch your belongings in crowded places without you noticing. There is a very easy solution: carrying your belongings somewhere not easily accessible. Remember: they look for easy targets!

Isa

"No estimo res més, excepte l'ombra viatgera d'un núvol..." S. Espriu (I don't love anything else, but the traveller shadow of a cloud...)

Posted
24-Apr-2007 06:22
by: NavajoRug

Posts: 2,268
Registered: 19/09/02

3

This subject pops up on the forum every now and then and Barcelona is accused so often of being pickpockets' haven. As Isa said, any large city will have that problem.
If only from the number of posts about Barcelona on TT it seems that it has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe.

A large number of fat wallets will attract a large number of pickpockets, that's natural. I am not a fan of big city travel but I think it would be quite naive not to fully expect all the negatives of being in a big city.

I have never been robbed, lucky I guess, but the best advice I can offer is to carry just the money you need with you for the day. When I am not driving I leave my license in the hotel and I carry just a copy of my passport instead of the original - it's such a hassle to replace documents. I put the phone number you call to cancel credit cards in my cell phone so I can do it just seconds after they go missing. Unless my phone is taken too.... :)))

Posted
24-Apr-2007 08:18
by: femaletraveller

Posts: 323
Registered: 13/03/01

4

I am not a Spanish person so can only offer advice from a tourists perspective. I have been in Barcelona twice and thankfully have not had any problems. I believe in getting out and having a good time but taking precautions, but try not to let fear destroy your trip. I wear a money belt to keep my passport etc. though some people advise against this - it is a personal thing so decide if it suits you or not. I don't keep anything of value in my back pocket, and if a pickpocket wants a crumpled old tissue or ticket stub she/he is welcome to it, I don't carry bags slung loosely on one shoulder, and I only carry a small amount of cash.

One thing to be careful of is getting too relaxed though. A woman I met had taken lots of care, but sitting down at a sunny outdoor table she was so relaxed she put her bag by her side. As it happens, her purse was not in her bag, but when she went ot leave her bag was not there. Try to put a strap through a leg if possible.

Mind you, in Barcelona I saw so many toursits who did not seem at all concerned. They wondered around with large cameras, videocameras and maps clearly on show, put money or wallets in pockets and didn't seem to be bothered about securing bags. my friend was like that. He never had trouble, but perhaps he was just lucky. I cannot comment for Madrid as I have never been.

Lots of travel links, for accommodation, independent travel, UK, Newcastle and other categories - http://www.geocities.com/milliebell/links.htm

Posted
24-Apr-2007 08:26
by: NavajoRug

Posts: 2,268
Registered: 19/09/02

5

I am not Spanish, either. I do not think it matters - if you're in unknown territory you're still a tourist. And I do not think locals are that immune to theft in their own city either if they're not careful. Common sense comes to mind.

Posted
24-Apr-2007 09:31
by: Belsa

Posts: 1,164
Registered: 18/03/02

6

Quote
I think it would be quite naive not to fully expect all the negatives of being in a big city

Exactly. And this is that I see everyday here at the forums and at Barcelona streets (as said by #4 too): Large parties of drunk hen/stags. People paying a 1.5 euros coffee showing a wallet with hundreds of euros on it. Bags left careless anywhere. Etc.. Some people do not seem to realize they are traveling to a big city, for good and for bad. Of course being "local" does not make us immune, and certainly sometimes we can be too relaxed as well.

Isa

"No estimo res més, excepte l'ombra viatgera d'un núvol..." S. Espriu (I don't love anything else, but the traveller shadow of a cloud...)

Posted
24-Apr-2007 10:18
by: NavajoRug

Posts: 2,268
Registered: 19/09/02

7

Agreed, Isa. Also, what amazes me is that people start referring to Barcelona as to some mythical danger zone, and as you pointed out it's related to the number of careless people around. I used to live in Boston and the number of times I have seen absent minded people plucked like chickens was amazing - they were not all foreign tourists, but they were mostly not paying attention in areas well known for petty crime. Predators rarely go for alert prey ....

Posted
25-Apr-2007 03:41
by: bbj41

Posts: 79
Registered: 21/09/05

8

"by the way, I fail to understand how so many people don't suspect there is something odd on someone who starts pushing and "dancing" with a complete stranger."

But you see, thats the point. They dont ask you to dance, they dont push you either, they put their arm around you like your new best friend, and touch you, that makes you uncomfortable, and you react...get off of me, and that´s the split second they are in your pocket. I think that if you know about these scams the few seconds it takes you to react to such an intrusion to your personal space can be avoided. Somebody who can distract your attention for 1 second to get your wallet probably has some experience and could be lableled a "pro".

"Also, what amazes me is that people start referring to Barcelona as to some mythical danger zone, and as you pointed out it's related to the number of careless people around."

Yes, such people are mistaken, I agree. In fact I have found that far fewer criminals resort to violence here, and instead regard thievery as a legitmate craft. However, it must be said that Barcelona is one of the world´s most notorious pickpocket cities. To tell people to use common sense is rather ironic, because if they had any they wouldnt walk down la rambla with an upside down map and 100 euros hanging from their teeth. Though, what I would like to contribute, again, is watch for this dance scam no matter who you are.

Posted
25-Apr-2007 04:03
by: Belsa

Posts: 1,164
Registered: 18/03/02

9

Quote
it must be said that Barcelona is one of the world's most notorious pickpocket cities.

Just because is one of the world's most visited cities. This is what people should be aware of!!!

In percentage, probably you have THE SAME or even less chances of being robbed in Barcelona than in many other touristy places. But as less people are going there, there are less people complaining around the forums. Why no one says that MOST visitors don’t have a single problem here in Barna??

I know well how these pros do work, using your distraction to grab your valuables. So, the best protection is not having anything easily accessible. Even if they "intrude my personal space", the most they may get is a few euros and a box of tissues! If your valuables are really difficult to reach, even the most pro thief can’t reach them in one second of distraction.

Yes, as they say “common sense is the less common of senses”. I agree with as much people are aware of these scams, the better. What I really do not like is the title of your OP: "Pickpockets, Barcelona and Madrid"... these are NOT the most dangerous places of Europe, and even people can think they will be "safer" in other cities (that is not true)

Isa

"No estimo res més, excepte l'ombra viatgera d'un núvol..." S. Espriu (I don't love anything else, but the traveller shadow of a cloud...)

Posted
25-Apr-2007 05:44
by: NavajoRug

Posts: 2,268
Registered: 19/09/02

10

Quote
If your valuables are really difficult to reach, even the most pro thief can’t reach them in one second of distraction.

ahm....

Also, your common sense remark makes very little sense, OP, pun not intended. You're posting this to warn people and than complain about the lack of sense of tourists who flash their money. I do not think what I said could have been perceived as ironic unless I am unfamiliar with a new definition of the word. It may be futile reminding some people to be cautious or it may be effective.

The effect of the Barcelona and Madrid pick pocket threads is obvious and even I myself noticed i have an irrational feeling thinking about walking down the Ramblas with money in my purse - and I am not easily influenced.

If anyone you do not know manages to approach you close enough to grab you intimately you're not paying attention to start with - personal space starts for many people at around a meter and a half away.

Posted
25-Apr-2007 05:45
by: NavajoRug

Posts: 2,268
Registered: 19/09/02

11

forgot to put a smiley on my "ahm" :), Isa...

Posted
25-Apr-2007 14:48
by: hamacasutra

Posts: 259
Registered: 11/03/05

12

Quote
And I do not think locals are that immune to theft in their own city either if they're not careful

That's very true indeed! My friend has lived in Barcelona for 25 years and she's been pickpocket twice in the Ramblas... She wasn't at all concerned because she's not a tourist, so it had to happen sooner or later!

Just keep an eye on your belongings and try to relax... enjoy Barcelona!

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi

Posted
26-Apr-2007 04:31
by: bbj41

Posts: 79
Registered: 21/09/05

13

Quote
What I really do not like is the title of your OP: "Pickpockets, Barcelona and Madrid"... these are NOT the most dangerous places of Europe, and even people can think they will be "safer" in other cities (that is not true)

????? Number 9, this is the branch specific to spain...these are the most visited cities in Spain, that is why I wanted to warn folks. There is no complaining, just a helpful tip. Yes, Barcelona is a highly visited city, all the more reason to warn people.

Number 10, unforunately I disagree completely. What complaining do you speak of? It is a fact that people do these thing everyday, doesnt matter to me, nor bother me. Perhaps there has been some digression from the OP, this post was not destined for you and it was destined for those who will be visiting for the first time a foreign country, trying to get their witts about them.

Ironic: coincidental; unexpected. Containing irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning
So, the irony is...telling people to use common sense....is using the opposite of its literal meaning, because common sense is something you either have or do not have...you follow?

Quote
If anyone you do not know manages to approach you close enough to grab you intimately you're not paying attention to start with - personal space starts for many people at around a meter and a half away.

Disagree. Took me awhile to get used to what I consider a lack of personal space coming from america on the metro, in ques, on streets, etc. Having people around you and standing close is commonplace.

Again, be careful of the dance scam and be warned.

Posted
26-Apr-2007 04:47
by: Belsa

Posts: 1,164
Registered: 18/03/02

14

This branch is specific of Spain, right, but you see these posts as well if you just choose Western Europe and does not specify a country.

As well, I do not think that Barcelona or Madrid are more dangerous than any other big city of Spain (and other attractions not in big cities) so your title may be misleading. Well, this is just my opinion. Yours may be different. I' not denying the facts or saying your post not being helpful. I just think you could be said that in another way.

Isa

"No estimo res més, excepte l'ombra viatgera d'un núvol..." S. Espriu (I don't love anything else, but the traveller shadow of a cloud...)

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