I can guess: not much.

ira - Get a Life!
Folks,yes the Metro in Madrid can be a issue with low-life robbers and muggers. I have seen tourists loose their wallets and travel documents when a full carriage is emptied at a station. During a trip to Barcelona a lass lost some goods while on her first metro trip from their hotel. Most of these criminals are well dressed, middle aged low-life immigrants, allowed into Spain under the UE agreement. You are generally okay if you don't venture out too late or too early, remember that the lovely Spanish party all night, so some bars open at 05.00 am in the morning to catch the revelers going home. We had two incidents in Spain one in Madrid and one in Barcelona, and both in the middle of the day,. Don't think the police will help you, they are less than useless, it's all too difficult or they are also on the take. Spain is wonderful country, with wonderful caring people, it's only the scum that stuffs it up. Use good judgment, keep your bags closed, and if cornered yell like hell, they will disappear

A few years ago I had someone try and rob me on a metro train in Madrid too. I threatened to poke a small screw driver I always carry (mainly used at work) in his eye and his mates all backed off. Eastern Europeans again. They have flooded Western Europe and all tourists should be on their guard when out and about as they live by stealing from us.

A believe it or not quote from a Rumanian woman in court in London, for stealing :

My people have been stealing for a thousand years. Why should we stop now.

Graziella, Many thanks again for sharing your story and reminding us to always be aware -- but especially in unfamiliar places .. Leaving at the end of May with my family including small children for a wonderful 4-wk adventure.. and getting a little nervous for the first time about keeping more than just myself safe while travelling!

My best friend is a Romanian woman, international auditor on a scottish multinational, economics teacher at university...I feel a bit offended when I heard generalizations about "romanian women"...romanian gypsies are the ones who make the kind of assertions kaneda quoted without any shame...not "a romanian woman".

ttt part of a Crusade to shame Madrid into taking effective action to put a stop to this shame

t

anyone telling you there are no special problems with crime in Madrid (or Barcelona) IMO simply does not know of what they are talking and are doing you a disservice.

Guidebooks are not always right but most do not print something about crime in a place unless it's really a problem

I have just now topped a thread MUGGED IN MADRID where you will read many experiences of crime in Madrid

This is of interest to me ever since a close relative of mine was violently mugged early on a Sunday morning in front of Atocha train station - she ended up bloodied and scarred - shopkeepers opening their shops stood by and did nothing.

There is a problem but if you know there is a serious problem then you may be able to take precautions to prevent it

Will you likely get robbed in Madrid? Not likely but it's a real possibility - much more than in most European cities.

Google pickpockets or mugging in Madrid and you'll get hundreds of posts - do the same for paris or other cities and you'll get a handful.

PalenQ, looks like a major obsession of your to keep this thread alive. Have you considered treatment?

This is a threat I started and I think Palenque is right
people should know.

I'm so sorry to hear about your relative, PalenQ. I hope those heartless shopkeepers don't also rob her of her faith in people.

graziella.. what a freudian slip!!!

how funny!

some feel it is a real threat to keep these threads alive.

Yes it is funny ¡¡¡ :-) It might have been a Freudian slip ...but I think that it was my bad English that showed up once more.

DD lived in Madrid (2006) and would see the same groups of muggers on the subway everyday. The police could easily catch them, but make no attempt to do so. She felt much safer riding the T in Boston while living there, than while riding the metro in Madrid.