Travel insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have crunched the numbers to reveal where each of the most popular European holiday destinations rank on their European Pickpocketing Index. europe pickpocketing

The index ranks the most popular European holiday destinations by the proportion of pickpocketing mentions in visitor reviews of each country’s top five tourist attractions.

Visitors to Italy’s Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon in Rome as well as the Duomo di Milano in Milan and the Gallerie Degli Uffizi in Florence mentioned having items stolen in 1,906 online travel reviews.

This equates to 463 pickpocketing mentions for every million British visitors to Italy’s top tourist attractions – the highest proportion of any European country.

France is the second most visited country by Brits and also has the second highest number of pickpocketing mentions at 283 per million visitors, with all 5 attractions monitored being in Paris.

The Netherlands ranked third on the pickpocketing index despite being only the ninth most visited country.

Despite Barcelona’s reputation for pickpocketing, Spain – the most popular holiday destination for British tourists only came sixth on the list with five times fewer mentions of theft than Italy.

Closer to home, the index suggests that tourists enjoying a pint at the Guinness Storehouse can feel fairly confident their possessions are safe, with the Republic of Ireland ranking down in ninth with only 30 pickpocketing mentions per million visitors.

The European Pickpocketing Index as revealed by Quotezone.co.uk:

Based on data analysis by Quotezone.co.uk

Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said that unfortunately, this new research shows that thousands of people have complained about pickpockets in Europe while experiencing the best that European holiday destinations have to offer.

He said: “Theft can happen anywhere and tourist hotspots are convenient places for criminals to target holidaymakers’ wallets and purses whilst they are busy taking in the sites.

“Iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Trevi Fountain in Rome are particularly popular with pickpockets as they can move more inconspicuously amongst larger crowds.

“Many holidaymakers are unaware that some of the most popular destinations for Brits have some of the highest incidents of pickpocketing in Europe.

“Our research revealed some surprising results with Italy having the most pickpocketing mentions and Spain only coming in sixth with five times fewer mentions of theft.

“It is essential always to remain vigilant, leave valuables, like expensive jewellery, in a safe in the hotel and always travel with a secure cross-body bag with zips to secure phones and wallets or even a money belt.

“Try never to leave personal belongings unattended because travel insurance companies require travellers to take ‘reasonable care’ and could reject insurance claims for theft if items have been left alone.

“It is also important to remember to get a police report for the loss or theft of an item if you’ve been pickpocketed, as this will support the insurance claim.  Remember to double-check what is and isn’t covered on the travel insurance policy before heading to these high-ranking destinations, most travel insurance policies cover important documentation such as passports but rarely cover stolen cash and phones.  Most providers allow travellers to add on extras that might be needed such as gadget travel insurance.”

Here are some tips to avoid pickpocketing while traveling: europe pickpocketing

• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of people who are acting suspiciously.
• Don’t carry too much cash. If you do need to carry cash, keep it in a safe place, such as a money belt or a hidden pocket.
• Use a crossbody bag or a bag with a zippered pocket. This will make it more difficult for pickpockets to steal your belongings.
• Keep your valuables close to you. Don’t put them in a backpack or a bag that you can easily set down.
• Be careful when using ATMs. Make sure that no one is standing behind you or watching you enter your PIN.
• Don’t flash your cash or valuables. This will only attract attention from pickpockets.
• Be careful when using public transportation. Pickpockets are often active on public transportation, so be sure to keep your belongings close to you at all times.
• If you think you’ve been pickpocketed, act quickly. Report the theft to the police and cancel your credit cards immediately.

By following these tips, you can help to avoid becoming a victim of pickpocketing while traveling.

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