Is pickpocketing in Rome so bad ?

Question

Entire Italy has this problem?

Answer 1

YES, especailly at the train station and in highly touristed areas. And the theives have very clever ways to distract you.

Answer 2

No i found more criminality in the UK and in the USA....Rome is a big city so got his problems not more than London or NY!Where i live in Italy i can go walk around at nights without problems can you do the same?

Answer 3

Yes. We were on a bus in Rome near the Vatican at night, and saw a man come from the back of the bus and grab a woman's purse as he ran out of the front bus door. We were also warned on a packed subway  by an Italian/American woman to watch for the small girl moving thru the car (7 or 8 yrs old). She said that they send the kids b/c they are at wallet/purse height and generally are unnoticed.

Answer 4

i spent a day in Rome and did not have any problems.  Just be aware of your surroundings!

Answer 5

Pickpocketing is a problem in Italy just like it is in any high tourist destination.  As a tourist, you most likely stand out, and can become an easy target, no matter what country you are in.

Just be careful and alert.  Yes, pickpockets are clever at trying to distract you to steal from you, but if anything starts happening out of the ordinary, stay alert.  

I have been visiting Italy for years, and now living here, I have only had a problem once when some kids tried to pickpocket me near the Spanish Steps.  I caught on, thank god.  I was not so lucky in DC where I was pickpocketed....

You win some, you lose some.

Answer 6

Yes, especially on the subway and the buses.....We had a friend have his suitcase cut open with a razor blade and not even know it.  Rome is a safe place but just be aware of your surroundings and your valuables!!

Answer 7

no, the problem is restricted to Rome (maybe Milan and some other big cities) and only in  some bus in the historic center, and in the metro.

Mostly of this thiefs are not italian, mostly  young gypsys that now dress like tourist to hide themself in the crowd.

I never had problems, my wife she had her wallet stolen on a bus, and my sister she found that her bag was cut with a blade (this is in 20 years i live in rome)

Just be carefull and put your wallet in your front poket in your pants, and if you see gypsys around stay far from them they are very fast, they came in groups: usually one approche you asking for money and in the same momet all the friends "explore" your pokets.

Answer 8

I went to Italy when I was 15 with my school. We were obvious tourists....prime targets for pick pockets. We had absolutely NO trouble. I mean, I know it happens....but, I think that if you are careful and aware of your surroundings you won't have any trouble. I didn't....

Just take some simple precautions. For example, when we were on the bus or subway, my friend (who carried a sort of backpack like purse) would stand in front of me and I would just rest my hand on the opening of her bag.

I also didn't carry vast amounts of money in my pockets. I did carry a wallet that had sort of a small rope on it. I wrapped the rope around my wrist and held the wallet in my hand the entire time. It really wasn't as much trouble as it sounds....like I said, just be cautious and it's fine.

Answer 9

The very first time we rode public transportation in Rome, someone tried to pick my husband's pocket.  Luckily, he caught them and saved his wallet!  So my opinion is yes, it's pretty bad!  We have been to several big cities and never had this problem anywhere else.  But like anywhere else, you should just be aware of your surroundings and keep track of your stuff at all times.

Answer 10

I had no problems at all.  My bag was padlocked, and lucky for me, I had a pocket on the back of my daypack that was totally inaccessable for anyone except me.  They couldnt have ripped it open from the bottom(which I have heard can happen) as I had a bag "raincoat" stored there.

As long as you are aware of your surroundings, then all will be fine.

The gypsy population has really been cleaned up in the last 10 years or so.