Hi KP,

>...a pickpocket might try to run off with a carry on piece of luggage while traversing the station in Paris.<

Chain the luggage to your wrist. :)

I think that you are overconcerned.

Of the millions of people who visti Europe only thousands ever have a major problem. However, no one ever posts, "Went to europe for 3 weeks, wasn't robbed".

((I))

OK Ira, I can honestly state that I have been in Italy more times then I can count, and up to over two months on some trips and I have never had anything stolen, have never been robbed, have never had a problem with pickpockets. Have never had anything taken from a car.

I am careful but do not wear a money belt. I do keep my passport in the hotel (not room) safe. I do carry about the equilavent of $150.00 US dollars in my wallet and in zippered pockets in my shoulder bag.

I do always have a credit card and one ATM card in another section of my shoulderbag. I keep additional credit cards and an ATM card in the hotel (not room) safe.

I do wear "good but not flashy" jewelry. I do put a few extra pieces in the hotel (not the room) safe.

I do carry my shoulder bag as women in Europe do.

Lucky, I guess.

But as Ira said, we do not hear about the travellers that do not have problems, just as we do not read or hear about good news generally speaking in our newspapers or on TV.

Crooks are everyone, not just in Europe. Even in small towns crime happens.

And I do realize that being a victim of crime while on vacation is much more stressful than if it happens while at home.

Use good common sense. Be aware of your surrondings. And go on vacation and enjoy!

Well it did happen to a client of mine in Paris' Gare de l'Est - this lady insisted on taking her dog to Europe and whilst she was distracted attending to the dog and stopped with her bags she looked up to find one bag missing. Maybe she should have chained it to her dog. Yes it doesn't happen to all travelers - especially if you know to be vigilant. Another client i was talking to said he'd been pickpocketed in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid - he was at a conference and said it seemed everyone at the conference had also been victims. If you don't know the problem exists it may well happen - know and be aware it probably won't (except in the case of Madrid and Barcelona where you could be mugged!)

some general tips I've picked up...obvious but effective

-don't put anything valuable in outside pockets on luggage
-safety pin your zippers (on backpacks and suitcases - not your pants!) to your bag with diaper pins...most pickpockets wont bother trying to open
-if you're going to be sleeping on a train dont leave your luggage in the overhead compartment or on a different seat - hug it, or have it close to you.

At the moment Waterloo is jam-packed with police (because of the bombings). There probably isn't a safer place in London at the moment.