Outsmart pickpocketers
Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity in Rome and has been a problem for several decades and and seems to be getting worse each year. Official statistics have less then 150,000 pickpockets occurred in Italy in 2022, however I believe the actual number of pickpockets in Italy to be much higher. I estimate it could be closer to 1 million pickpockets a year with several hundred thousand happening each year in Rome. Based on my experience very few pickpockets are reported and recorded. Many of them get reported to the police but the police rarely file an official report in fact they often imply that there is nothing they can do. That was my experience earlier this year when my wife was pickpocketed and many people we spoke with at the US embassy where we were getting her passport replaced had similar stories of the police not making any official crime report. We were there on a Monday morning in June with over 50 other Americans getting their stollen passports replaced. That was just a the American Embassy and just for passports. Hundreds of wallets, purses and bags are stollen every day in Rome.
Is Rome Safe?
Actually Rome is a very safe city, even late at night. Yes pickpockets and stollen property do happen but I have never heard of someone using a gun or knife to force someone to hand over their valuables. Valuables are not stollen by force, they are almost always taken without confrontation. In fact most people do not know they have been robbed until it is too late. That is a good thing. You do not need to worry about being assaulted in Rome. All you need to know to stay safe in Rome is how to outsmart the pickpockets.
Time to outsmart the pickpocket
While the number of pickpockets in Rome is high, the chances of you getting pickpocketed while you are in Rome is actually very low especially if you are prepared. Why? There a lot more of us then there are of them. In 2022, Italy had close to 100 million tourists, Even with my estimated high number of pickpockets, there is about a 1% chance you will have a problem. But if it does happen to you it could ruin the fun so here are several tips to help make sure it does not happen to you.
1, Never take your luggage onto the Rome’s metro or city bus.
With luggage your odds of getting pickpocketed increase over 500%. Pickpockets area always looking for an easy target. When you have your luggage with you on the Metro or bus you will become not just an easy target but a prime target. When you have your bags you will likely be distracted as you get on and off the metro or bus and that is exactly what the pickpockets are looking for. If you are coming to Rome from the Airport you can get a taxi for a flat rate of 50 euros to anywhere in Rome’s city center. If you are entering Rome from the termini train station you can get a taxi to almost any hotel or Airbnb for about 8 to 12 euros and that is for up to 4 people. So be sure to take a taxi if you have luggage.
2. Know the profile of an easy target. Are you one?
What makes you an easy target for being pickpocketed? Pickpockets are looking for people who are distracted, You can be distracted by having language but you can also be distracted by what you are doing such as buying metro or train tickets at the vending machine, trying to validate your ticket as you enter the metro, watching the video board at termini stain station for your departing trains. Pickpockets take advantage of moments where you are likely to be distracted. At these moments you need to be more attentive.
Pickpockets do not want confrontation. If you are a woman and especially if you are an older man or woman you much more likely to be a target. there is not much you can do about your age or gender but that just means you will need to be more alert and prepared.
Pickpockets in Rome are not violent in fact many times you will not know you are a victim until it is too late and that is just the way they want it.
3. Avoid crowded metro cars and busses.
Pickpockets love the crowded metro and busses. Peak travel times are when pickpockets go to work. If a Metro train is too crowded it is wise to wait for the next one. The next metro is usually just minutes away as they run very often.
Rome’s 64 bus is known as the hell to heaven bus, To get to heaven (The Vatican) you have to travel on a usually over crowded hellish bus ride with many other tourists. The exact targets and crowded environment pickpockets like.
4. Make sure you can see the hands of people abound you.
Watch out for people who have jackets, bags or other things draped over their arms making their hand impossible to see. If you see that more away before you find their hands in your pocket of bag.
5. Avoid standing in the “Action” zone.
What is the danger zone also known as the strike zone? It is the are right near the doors where people are getting on and off the metro or bus. Pickpockets like a strike when people are in commotion as they are getting on or off. If you are in the danger zone that is where the pickpockets like to be also. When you exit you will need to pass through it just try not to hang out in it. Move away from the doors if possible. Make eye contact with people and know who is abound you.
One tactic is for one pickpocket to crowd the door forcing people to squish even more while getting on or off. If you see that it is a good idea to wait even if you miss your stop or ride, you can always circe back of get on the next.
6. Know the profile of a pickpocket.
Look for suspicious people. Pickpockets usually work in teams of 2 or 3. They are more focused on watching other people, looking for targets, and not interacting much with each other. Many of them are woman and most are eastern Europeans. Pickpockets are all ages. If you see a suspicious people or group of people move away from them and be attentive.
7, Know the areas of most pickpockets and avoid or be extra attentive.
90% of pickpockets in Rome happen in a relatively small number of places. Places that are crowded and with lots of tourists are where the action is. Top places are Termini station, bus 64, metro stops Termini, Colosseum, Circus Maximus, The Vatican and Spanish Steps
8. Have each others back.
If you are traveling with a friend or spouse watch out for each other while on public transportation. Watch for pickpockets that pose a threat to your partner as thay watch out for you. Never split into 2 different train cars, stay together.
9. Travel with a carabiner.
Right now you may be thinking…a carabiner? When you sit down to have a bite to eat or on a bench to relax in a crowded area, use a carabiner to attach your purse of bag to the chair or table. If someone tries to do a grab and run this will stop them. Yes grab and runs happen in Rome. I like to keep my bag off the ground so I can see it as I do not want to forget and leave it behind when I am through.
10. Do not carry your Passport with you in Rome.
Leave your passport in your hotel’s safe and only cary a copy with you. A picture of it on my phone works best.
11. Limit cash and cards.
It is always a good idea to only cary enough cash for the day and 1 credit card with you while you explore Rome. If the off chance you get pickpocketed your damage will be limited. It still suck but not as bad as loosing all your credit cards, passport and cash. You can always wear a money belt under your shirt making pickpocket almost impossible.
12. Do not do this.
Pickpockets know where your valuables are. Do not think that putting your wallet in your front packet or putting your valuables in the pouch closest your back will protect it from pickpockets. This is a false sense of security. Pickpockets know where you are likely to put you valuables and they strike there first. They are good at what they do, you just need to be smarter!
13. What to do if you are pickpocketed?
You can try to report it to the police but do not be surprised if they kinda dismiss you and do not actually fill out any official report. This is the case all too often. If you loose and need to replace a stollen passport, head to the Embassy in the morning Monday thru Friday and they will help you get it replaced. The process takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs just over 100 euros. I think I paid 125 euros in May 2023 to have my wife’s passport replaced with a temporary passport. You will need a new passport pictures taken but they have a passport picture booth in the US Embassy in Rome. Do not stress too much. Don’t let the pickpockets also steal your fun. Keep a good attitude and all will work out. No vacation is perfect.