Pickpockets in Rome - tips & bag recs

[ItsNotForYouJen]

We’re off to Rome later in the year and even though I’m not planning on using public transport, I’ve read so many posts about the legendary pickpockets there, I’m debating my bag choices.

Kids have food allergies and I’m always carrying around lunches and epipen/asthma kit, meaning a backpack is the most comfortable option but many advise not to use them as they can be sliced open or opened behind your back.

I usually take my trusty Mulberry heritage, which is very sturdy leather, so won’t be easily sliced and the side pockets are not easily opened without a real tug (I never keep valuables in them anyway). But of course it’s worth a bit in itself and may make me a target, although I’m sure there are many people wandering Rome with more expensive bags!

And if I use a cheaper bag, like a sports pack it’ll be sliceable and easy to open?

I am considering the backpack plus a slim crossbody for the valuables that I can keep to the front of me but I’m open to other tips and suggestions. Maybe I’m being more paranoid than is necessary!

Thanks in advance.

I've just come back from Rome and pick picketing was my main concern before going. I was even going to buy a bag specifically for this. I didn't in the end

I took a normal cross body bag and kept it tucked close to me but most people seemed very relaxed/lax and were wearing expensive designer bags casually slung over their shoulder.

There is a huge police presence which I'm sure acts as a deterrent so it all felt very safe and I didn't worry about my bag at all. I even travellled on the underground at the busy Coliseum station and all was fine.

Take the normal precautions you would in London/any capital city and you'll be fine.

Enjoy Rome. I absolutely loved it and am itching to go back.

I didn't find Rome too bad when I went recently, but I'm a Londoner and all my bags are chosen with pickpockets in mind.

Take a backpack for non-valuables and either use a crossbody for valuables, or zip them into the inside or breast pocket of a jacket.

I have an anti theft cross body bag I use for city breaks like this - it’s anti slash and has various other deterrents

I live in Italy. Been here for 30 years. The only time I was pickpocketed (apart from outside the Arndale in Manchester) was in Florence in 1992. That was Roma kids.

I was in Rome and Florence in 2021 and as pp says, the police presence is massive these days. Never felt safer tbh. The underground was fine (was in Madrid last year and that one felt less safe than Rome but still no more unsafe than London) I said to DD before we went to Florence that back in the 90s I'd found it pretty grim wrt street crime etc, and she was "what are you on about?"

I'd say as with any big city. Don't wear ostentatiously "touristy" things like bum bags and backpacks. Nothing says "here's my passport and other documents" like a bumbag does.
I just took a big leather tote bag around with me.

PS Mulberry isn't that well known in Italy. I've never seen anybody with one except obvious Brits.

If you’re asked to sign a petition “against drugs” - that’s a pickpocket distraction strategy.

Ah Interesting you should say that as someone did come up to us near the Collosseum asking us to sign something like that. We just shook our head and carried on walking. I never stop and engage not even at home.

Really good advice, thanks all.

@HeddaGarbled I’ve read that the ones with clipboards are also scammers. I hate to be rude but we will ignore and move on.

@Lykia Good to know that there’s a decent police presence there. Did you go to all the main sites? I’m wrestling with whether to attempt to see the Vatican or not bother this time as we only have four days including Sun and a public holiday.

@SisterMaryLoquacious Oh how I wish my jackets had an inside pocket!

My main takeaway is to not stand out as a tourist and therefore buy a nice new Italian leather bag immediately on arrival, yes?! 😉

I loved Rome. No problems with pickpockets at all. I had a bag that goes across your shoulder. Only thing we faced was people offering to help you buy tickets at the train station. That is a scam, if it still happens.

I have a cross body bag, had no issues