Since you can't always know what's going on behind you, a frontpack would be safer.

But two straps probably deter most professional thieves - shifting them to softer targets.

Seems like the better concern is what you have to lose if you purse gets stolen, no matter how you carry it.

I keep credit cards and cash that I will not be using that day and the passport in a waist belt. If someone takes my purse, the purse itself would be the most valuable loss. I would only lose petty cash and my debit card which I could cancel. I would hate to lose my expensive cosmetics and things like that but thefts don't happen to me that often to worry about them.

By the way, I wear my purse bandolier style when I have to deal with my luggage, it keeps it under control.

To all those who can't understand why one would be more worried about losing a purse on vacation than at home-- isn't that obvious? If someone grabs purse of a non-tourist, what do you expect to be in it? Maybe a little lunch money, some used tissues, and loads of junk that hasn't been sorted through in weeks or months? Credit cards and IDs can be easily cancelled and replaced when you're home.

A backpack purse may more at risk because someone can stand behind you in a crowd and cut the purse open and you won't know who's back there.

If they can take a wallet out of a man's pocket without him feeling it, they can certainly take a wallet out of a backpack without the person feeling it.

>>"It would be a pity if my strap were snagged and I ended up in the drink."<<

Not to worry anniemackie. Didn't you know they all carry life vests? :-d

<If someone showed you stats for people hurting themselves on escalators eg long coats or high heels catching in the mechanism (probably about the same incidence as serious injury from bag snatching!) would you change what you wear? I bet you wouldn't.>

Actually there have been news reports about Crocs getting caught in escalators, especially with kids. And flip flops could do the same. I would not let my children now wear these on an escalator (and I already don't myself).

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=2530368

My wife and I have been all over the world, including Italy and never had a problem. For the most part it takes common sense and some precautions.

Both my wife and I never carried any money or CC's in a single place. For instance, I had a credit in my wallet and one in money belt. My wallet was always in my front pocket. My wife had a flat purse which she had around her neck and under a garment. Then she also had money belt.

But the best advice is to always be to be aware of your surroundings and try not to act like you do not have a purpose, e.g. aimless.

PS I never carried my passport as I left it in the hotel safe. For identification I had two scanned paper copies which I carried in two different places on me. You might want to consider leaving a CC in the hotel safe also as belt and suspenders.

Pick pocking in Rome is a small issue. Just be alert, regardless where you are when there is crowds. Hope this helps.

Excuse me, but I was going to google "motorcycle snatch" like you suggested, but I was laughing too hard to do so. Isn't that sort of like the female counterpart of "saddle rash"?

<i>Since you can't always know what's going on behind you, a frontpack would be safer.</i>

Hmm, it would seem as much, but isn't it really conjecture? Statistics, please.

Good one, trophywife. :)