No - if you know the potential problem and are aware there should be no problems

Portia12- I asked the same question several months ago and based on discussion & advice on this board, especially Maribel (thank you again) my family decided against Hotel Europa and Puerto del Sol. Here is the link: posthttp://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35097769

Portia 12- Also read in the link amsdon's hotel suggestion. I think I would have stayed at Opera if Room-mate hadn't opened up.

magrb, It looks like I am stuck with Hotel Europa. At this late date I can't find any hotel with openings. I will just have to be extra careful and leave all my valuables at the hotel.

Many interesting tales.

Carry an umbrella.

high petty crime rates in spain have to do with the encarcelation laws.

until the laws are changed, these thieves, even when taken into court/police station, do not "pay" any high jail time.

i hope the spanish public/politicians soon lose the "tough laws against criminals = francoism" complex, so the public can feel more protected.

and of course, this will trickle down to the tourists.

in the meantime, enjoy spain, but keep your antennas up.

these thieves are much much smarter than us.. and they wake up every morning with a mission, and go to where that mission can most easily be fulfilled.

i was just at a trade fair in madrid and the airport metro every day had businessmen or women filling out robbery reports. seems they were robbed/blocked when getting on the train (computer bag.. purses..wallets).

fortunately we were not targetted.. but that doesn´t mean anything anymore except luck, and being in the right place at the right time.

it was a sad reminder.

very perturbing and im so glad its not serious
how awful that news mustve been
my own son has now travelled three times and i dont worry about such attacks but when i read your story - it couldve been anyones son
may he come home to tell many a tale but no more of this kind