How bad is pick pocketing in Barcelona?

aslco · 6 Mar 2017 at 20:46

Yes, my GF had her phone pick pocketed in broad daylight when we were in one of the parks. As above its the Romanies who come up to talk / do "surveys" etc. They take their opportunity. If not that, then randomers on the tube.

Buffman · 6 Mar 2017 at 20:52

MarkLP said:
Is it worth looking to get some zipped pockets? I'm planning to use the safe as soon as we get to the hotel. I'm just really nervous having an expensive bit of jewellery on me even if it's only for a few hours till we get the keys to our room in the hotel. We get there at half 10 in the morning so doubt our room will be ready.

I guess this is why I'm so apprehensive I've been to quite a few major cities and not had any problems before.

I wouldn't be concerned about a couple hours pre hotel. Even if you had to walk thru the centre of Las ramblas tbh

dowie · 6 Mar 2017 at 20:53

richthomuk said:
Thats really not true, most people are likely to be done as a local on the way to or home from work on public transport or at busy stations or Las Ramblas in the summer, there are even volunteers that actively seek out pickpocketers during rush hour at stations etc.

Yup, this woman spends 3 hours a day trying to chase away pickpockets:

Dis86 · 6 Mar 2017 at 21:04

In London I've only ever been targeted once, by Romanians - In Barcelona three attempts in two days. I nearly ended up throwing one of them in front of a bus.

rojones · 7 Mar 2017 at 10:11

Mate of mine been to London and various other cities plenty of times and never had an issue, went to Barcelona once for 2 days and got pick pocketed. Think its rep is deserved.

MookJong · 7 Mar 2017 at 10:26

Just before Christmas my cousin culminated 6 months of world travel including Asia /Japan. He finished up in Barcelona where he was promptly mugged on the street by a gang. When he went to the police station to report it there were a queue of other tourists reporting the same thing / pick pocketing.

jonneymendoza · 7 Mar 2017 at 10:46

Hi i am going to barcelona in may on my own first for 4 days but bringing my DSLR camera.

Do these pick pockets try and steal peoples DSLR?

McGray · 7 Mar 2017 at 10:52

You'll be lucky to get from your taxi to the hotel with the shirt still on your back.

xaldub · 7 Mar 2017 at 10:55

jonneymendoza said:
Hi i am going to barcelona in may on my own first for 4 days but bringing my DSLR camera.

Do these pick pockets try and steal peoples DSLR?

In short, yes they do. I've seen this happen to other people in Barcelona, usually around popular tourist spots. Just keep vigilant .... Barcelona's reputation for pickpockets is well deserved. And, take this from someone who has travelled extensively.

partycan · 7 Mar 2017 at 11:00

Going their in just over a week for a short break with my wife and now quite concerned!

jonneymendoza · 7 Mar 2017 at 11:02

Best to bring a small camera? im going there mainly for the F1 race.

I can use my DSLR for the f1 race and a mirrorless camera for the city?

MarkLP · 7 Mar 2017 at 11:40

partycan said:
Going their in just over a week for a short break with my wife and now quite concerned!

Make that two of us! I'm hoping it won't be so bad being out of season but tempted to get one of those small wallets that clip over and sit inside your jeans and a lanyard case for my phone.

ttaskmaster · 7 Mar 2017 at 11:58

partycan said:
Going their in just over a week for a short break with my wife and now quite concerned!

Use your head and you'll be good.

On Holiday · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:01

Personally I hadn't seen anything like it before so how people can say it's no worse than any other city I don't know.

Sayso · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:09

We were there at New Years eve and one of our group got his phone snatched. You could see them doing it usually 2 at least one bumps the other one grabs, ive been there when it wasn't so crowded though and its as bad as any other big city, just be a bit street wise.

MookJong · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:18

ttaskmaster said:
Use your head and you'll be good.

Yeah and if the headbutt doesn't work just unleash with your fists too.

Diagro · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:26

When my wife and I go on holiday or go to cities i have my wallet in my front pocket and i can feel it at all times.
I dont like people so i avoid any collisions. I also will make sure my wife is on my arm and her bag is between me and her. SO far been together 12 years and never had a wallet or bag sniffed at.

I also spend 40% of my attention watching people and keeping an eye out for prats, wife prob gets annoyed by my lack of attention but hey im busy protecting!

ZG002 · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:37

It sounds worse than any city I've been too myself.

OP. If you are going to be using the tube that's the time to be on guard I'd say. Other than that, pick your spot and get the proposal out the way on first day/night then relax (as long as she says yes

)

MarkLP · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:42

ZG002 said:
It sounds worse than any city I've been too myself.

OP. If you are going to be using the tube that's the time to be on guard I'd say. Other than that, pick your spot and get the proposal out the way on first day/night then relax (as long as she says yes )

My plan is the first night or second day. Need to try and find somewhere quiet(ish) thinking one of the parks reasonably early in the morning.

dowie · 7 Mar 2017 at 12:48

Zethor said:
Generally regarded by multiple reports from visitors? Well, dowie, let me try that and claim that you have no idea what you are talking about, based on multiple reports from fellow forum members.
How's that?

What do you think of the multiple reports from fellow forum members now? Do you still naively believe there isn't a big issue with pickpockets in Barcelona relative to other cities now more people have contributed? Do you have anything to back up your earlier posts?