Woooooah!! Up until now it had never occured to me to be afraid in Italy. I live in a medium-sized town in the north of England, where for the most part I feel quite safe. My fiance and I are shortly getting married in Verona, then honeymooning in Venice. Can someone put my mind at rest? Just how bad is the problem of pickpocketing, 'Gypsy' or otherwise in these two cities? I would really appreciate a reply. Thanks!

I know I'm both late and pompous, but I'd like to comment on the 25 May posting mention of British law. It is true to say that "In Britain, Roma can only stop legally on government reservations". But in England and Wales people of any kind can only stop in a place meant for them. (The law in Scotland may differ). Any law that affected only Roma would counter both British multi-racial policy (we're not Canada, but we're getting there), and the European Declaration of Human Rights (which we took into domestic law early this year). <BR> <BR>We have racists, but I think not racist laws. <BR> <BR>Why don't the Roma in France sue their government at the court in Strasbourg? <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>