Barcelona Thieves

[rockingthelook]

Been working away this week in Barcelona, large group of us, but not all out together and 3 of my work colleagues have been robbed! Every single time we go there someone is always robbed, it seems that no matter what we do as precautions this happens every time, we are used to the city, go often and seasoned travellers, this time a girls bag was stolen on the train, a man grabbed it off her knee and ran off the train when it stopped, another had a necklace stolen off her neck by a man on a moped, another lost a phone. All reported to the police who just seems weary /bemused about it, if it wasn't for business none of us would return, so off putting, certainly wouldn't want my family going

It’s legendary for thieves I’m afraid.

I got my purse nicked on the train to Barcelona a few years ago - my fault, I want paying attention (well, theiving bastard's fault, but you know what I mean).

I have heard of this in the past but when I went to Barcelona I never came across such incidents. I thought it was a very safe city but again all peoples experiences are different.

I went to Barcelona 15 years ago and even back then heard numerous tales of such stuff. I didn't use a handbag and wore 90s style cargo trousers and had a small purse in a zipped knee height pocket. If I used a cash point machine dh stood guard, didn't use a phone out and about on the street, I never wear jewellery. We were fine.

Ive travelled about to a lot of other pickpocket notorious places such as Paris and Kampala and tend to now use a cross body bag and keep my hand on top of the actual bag while walking about or on public transport to reduce the chance of someone cutting a strap and grabbing it.

But I must admit the reputation of Barcelona puts me off returning.

We've never had this problem in Barcelona but we're very vigilant: don't have your phone on the table in a bar, rucksack on your front with both straps on the metro, not walking around with a map like an obvious tourist etc.

I love Barcelona and I love that there's hardly any non-violent crime, but you do have to watch out for the thieving buggers.

A chap tried to "help" us use a cash machine once. I loudly started shouting "THIEF" repeatedly at him and he pegged it.

We love the place, but don't hang out on la rambla with your phone out and wallet obviously in your back pocket, or sit on a bus with your bag next to you.

fanny bags are your friend.
as ugly as they are...