Some places are known for it: pickpockets. For example, Barcelona on and near La Rambla, or Madrid or Milan. These cities are in the top 10 of where you have the highest chance of becoming a victim of pickpocketing. These are of course wonderful cities to visit. So that’s exactly why I’m sharing tips with you to protect yourself against pickpockets. At home, but especially on vacation, you don’t want to deal with this.
I was warned in Penang, Malaysia that scooter drivers would pull your bag off your shoulder. It’s always good to be alert when walking in big cities. There’s always a chance that people with other intentions are around.
You’ve probably heard stories from acquaintances or friends. Maybe you’ve been a victim yourself once. To prevent this from happening to you or from becoming a victim again, I’m sharing some tips with you. I also give these tips during my work as a police officer on the street and of course I use them during my solo travels as well.
Tips to Protect Yourself Against Pickpockets
What can you do yourself to prevent becoming a victim of such an unpleasant event?
General Tip You Often Hear
Make sure you don’t look like a tourist. That’s quite difficult though; not looking like a tourist just won’t work in quite a few countries. I’m white and travel a lot in Asia…
But what can I do?
- Don’t wear expensive jewelry while traveling
- Don’t carry an expensive camera in my hands all the time and/or constantly look at my expensive smartphone or tablet
These are small things you can pay attention to.
What else can you keep in mind and protect yourself against pickpocketing?
Be Alert to Your Immediate Surroundings
Keep track of who is walking in your vicinity. If you see the same person several times, it’s good to ask yourself the following: Does this person fit the picture?
- Is it a tourist looking at tourist things?
- Is it a local vendor who wants to sell you or other tourists something?
Or is this person apparently wandering around aimlessly and just following other people… Ask yourself from time to time what the purpose is of the people around you.
This way, people and moments will stand out to you that might help you prevent something.
Store Your Wallet Behind a Zipper
When choosing the bag I take on a day trip, I always make sure it has an extra compartment where I can put my wallet. So it can never be taken out of my bag in one move. Most bags have such an extra pocket. Pay attention to this when buying a bag.
Read more tips about how to best handle your bag while traveling.
Store Your Valuables Safely
Always Close Your Bag Completely
Close the zipper of the extra compartment where your wallet is completely, and of course the bag itself too. These actions aren’t that big for us, but you make it a bit harder for the pickpocket this way. Especially if you’ve hidden valuable items behind an extra zipper, you make it difficult for a pickpocket. It’s easy to forget this and make it easy for an unwanted guest. They see this and look for those people who make it easy for them in this way.
Always Keep Your Bag in Sight
I always keep my bag in front of me in a crowded area. Don’t hang the bag on your back so it’s out of your sight. If someone walks behind you, it’s easy for them to mess with the bag without you noticing. It’s a small effort to do this, but something to think about.
I can imagine that you’d leave a backpack that’s not easy to open hanging there, but a shoulder bag is also quickly pushed behind on the hip. You then have no view of it anymore and don’t feel it when someone in a busy shopping area quickly unzips it and takes something out.
Lately I’ve had the Osprey ultra light dry stuff pack. This is super light and small, easy to take along. And also very difficult to open because of the waterproof closure. I just leave this hanging on my back because it can’t be opened in one move.
Wear Your Bag Crossbody
Make sure your bag doesn’t just hang over your shoulder but wear it crossbody over your upper body. So that your head has also gone through the straps. This way, the entire bag can’t be pulled off your shoulder in one quick movement, which would lose you everything in one move.
This is a well-known method of bag snatching. In some countries/cities you’re warned about this, as I indicated earlier, I was warned about this method in Penang, Malaysia. If you just get used to carrying your bag this way when traveling and maybe at home too, at least this can’t happen to you. This way you also easily hang the bag on the front of your body as you see in the photo below.
This is how I always carry my bag. (Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakech, Morocco)
Make Sure You Keep Good Contact with Your Bag
Just casually hang a hand/arm over your bag, that’s enough. For example, when you’re sitting in a restaurant or café. If it then moves without you doing it, you’ll notice it right away. At such a moment you act from reflex and you’ll grab the bag. You won’t have a faster reaction than your reflex.
Keep Your Valuables in Sight
These are some simple and handy tips to apply to reduce the chance of your bag being stolen or your wallet being rolled. Something you should and can always do is actively keep an eye on your surroundings.
So: – Short summary:
- Who is walking near me?
- What kind of person is it? A tourist, local resident, or perhaps a criminal eyeing your bag?
- If you assess the situation you’re in, you can focus your behavior accordingly.
With these tips to protect yourself against pickpockets in the back of your mind, you might already adopt a different attitude on the street that says enough to pickpockets and is reason for them to leave you alone. How great would it be if you could achieve that!
Would you also like to read how you can recognize pickpockets? I shared these tips earlier.
And a TSA lock on your luggage is always a good idea.
Want to Read More Tips for Safe Travel/Walking?
- Safe Walking as a Woman Alone
- What to Do with Insect Bites – Safe Walking
- How to Travel Safely as a Solo Traveler
- What to Do if You’re Mugged?
- 5 Tips to Increase Your Safety When It Gets Dark