Parisian Pickpockets
 

A blogger shared the following article about Paris' sharp rise of Chinese robberies is causing my paranoia to flare up again. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/artic...-steeply-paris

Last time we were in Paris, I was pickpocketed in CDG and am determined not to be this time. I was planning to take my convertible camera bag/handbag: http://www.etsy.com/listing/12732268...op_home_active
but am thinking maybe (for Paris) I'm better off removing the camera bag insert and putting into something less noticeable.

Suggestions? We leave a week from Saturday so there's time to order something from Amazon.com.

Thanks

IMO everything is "noticeable" when it comes to pickpockets. The question is how alert can you stay? Will you have anything which can easily be jerked out of your hand or off of your body? Will you be alone? Are you aware of the many distractions these people use to divert your attention?

I've been to Paris and Rome twice before and have observed gypsy gangs working first hand including swarming with newspapers ... and unfortunately targeted the one time in the CDG train station (a couple "helped" me go through the turnstile incorrectly, so that I was separated from my husband and stuck.)

This time, I'm going with my family including two teenagers (who have strict instructions to leave their iPhones in the apartment while we're out and about.) So... yes, I feel like I'll be vigilant. Cash, cards, and identification will be kept distributed between money belts (hubby and me)... so it's really just the camera that I would hate to lose.

Just in case be sure you have the ability to back up your photos or have several memory cards so if something does happen at least you haven't lost all your photos!

I always carry my DSLR with a camera bag and have never had a problem...I always have it around my neck or in the bag with the bag strap wrapped around me. Never leave anything on the floor by your feet or on the table. When taking the camera out be sure to get out of the way and put your back to a wall so you can see where everyone is and have your hubby watch.

Enjoy!

A newspaper article a month ago stated that the Louvre had been closed for a day -- security officials were on strike due to the rise in threats from pickpockets in that area. I'm avoiding the Louvre this trip (have been there). I wish you the best. I'm going to have my camera stashed in a Pacsafe bag that has a locking zipper -- and hope for the best.

Looks like the "rich American" has been replaced by the "rich Chinese" as the target of choice. The message about money belts needs to get translated to Mandarin.

I think the one thing that some people can try to do differently is to stop thinking that they need to be "nice" to random strangers.

Don't let anyone "help" you do anything. Don;t let anyone brush against you. If you somehow get food sprtized on your clothing - get over to a wall, stand next to it and repel anyone who offers to "help" Keep your distance and if someone approaches you directly walk away. Or yell police, or make a scene.

No matter what your mother taught you -you do NOT have to be nice to strangers - it's just fine to ignore them - or be obnoxious if necessary.

Another thought is to just travel with a less expensive camera. A simple small digital point and shoot. Then you wouldn't have these worries.

I am really old-fashioned and don't own much, so don't have some of these concerns (no smartphone etc). And I've never had a pickpocketing problem but I don't carry around a lot of "stuff" with me and am always careful. However, if your main concern is your phone, that doesn't seem that difficult to safeguard.

First, you don't really have to use it that often, obviously (I never use one and have survived, it isn't a necessity). Which means you don't have to be having it out and visible very much or carrying it around in your hand. Obviously don't leave it lying out on a table or chair or something in a public place. They are very small, so wouldn't it be very easy to just keep it in some inside pocket that isn't accessible or your moneybelt if you are really concerned? I don't mean your side or back pants pocket, of course, but there are other things with inside pockets.

I even have some pants with inside pockets, as well as jackets or vests. But if you are careful, someone is not going to pickpocket somethings inside a closed bag, and if it were then enclosed inside a zipped pocket in that bag, that's pretty secure as long as you really as careful with your belongings. I am, but a lot of people are not and thus they let things dangle down to their sides near the floor on public transportation or carry around bags or totes with open tops, etc. Those are the things not to do.

It is unfortunately true that Asian tourist are targeted the most these days due to their ridiculous habit of carrying huge amounts of cash at all times. But this is only temporary, because they will certainly be paying with plastic or by mobile phone within one or two years.

True, but they have a lot of expensive electronics, also. I was sitting next to a table of Chinese tourists (assume Chinese, they didn't look Japanese to me, and were speaking some language from that area) in Madrid last fall, and they all had their smartphones lying out on the cafe table, and some nefarious type came along to bother them by waving something in front of them, and then trying to remove their phones with the paper. They did catch them in time, but that's the kind of thing not to do. This thief didn't even hardly look at me at the table next to them because I didn't have expensive electronics visible right on the table.

The current thug situation in Paris is completely out of control. Tourists need to be forewarned. I know two Manhattan families who were recently accosted, and both are long-time Paris fans, talking about never returning. Their stories of robbery and abuse in open public are shocking.

One mother was traveling with her two daughters, and both young girls were robbed twice on one day, once on the metro and once while visiting museums.

Both families went to the police for help and to file reports for insurance. They were met with shrugging shoulders and a lot of complacency.

I'm sorry to say, these are not good days to visit Paris.

Total side note: Amy - I have no real insight on your question (I walked around Paris last year with a medium-sized sling camera bag and had no problems), but wanted to say thanks for posting that link to your bag. I've been looking for a dressier camera bag than mine for awhile, and those are great!

Thanks Jent103; I bought a carabiner to attach to the zipper pull to hopefully prevent someone's hand from getting inside the bag. Love these camera bags (I have two in different sizes) and are custom made to your specification.

@nytraveler... you have hit the nail on the head. I am usually pleasant to everyone including strangers; will have to school my teenagers (15 and 18) into shouting at people who get too close. *sigh*

I've kind of regretted booking us into Paris for this trip... would prefer not to have the added layer of stress. However, what's done is done... and I'm sure we'll have a marvelous (if hyper vigilant) time. At least we're only there for 5 nights.

I was in Paris 2 weeks ago, ( I have been many time) and noticed a sharp increases in gypsy "petition" takers. Most of the time I ignored them and waved them away, I did see one group of people asking them what they wanted to sign the petition for ( obviously so they can pick your pocket) the area around Pont d,alma / Eiffle tower were the worst. But as everyone has said stay vigilant , keep your valuables in zipped pockets / bags and never ever leave anything on the floor/ table.
I was in Barcelona this past weekend , now they really DO have a pickpocket problem and you could see that people were very very wary in the tourist areas BUT same went here's too! I always use a crossbody bag when I am in these places, and I make sure my BF is not carrying his wallet in his back pocket like he normally does!!!

Please don't let this all this put you off the wonderful cities in Europe!

Thanks for posting Smeagol. You have assuaged some of my fears after reading this thread. I will be getting a cross-body bag (looks like a purse) that has a locking zipped compartment. Will wear a moneybelt and have my camera in the locked compartment.

There is no major increase in the situation in Paris. If there is an increase, it is the increase of clueless tourists, particularly from the BRICS countries.

Anybody who is aware of proper precautions has no problems whatsoever.

For anybody truly afraid, Velcro strips are absolutely the best protection -- hard to pull open and very Noisy.

<i><font color=#555555>"it is the increase of clueless tourists"</font></i>

Denial is never productive.

Both families I mentioned earlier are wealthy, educated, experienced travelers. This is the primary reason why I found their stories so shocking and appalling. When one of my travel-loving friends says "never again" to Paris, I sit up and listen.

Unemployment is ridiculously high in Europe, and then there's this thing called immigration. People need to eat, and Paris is a destination for travelers with money. It makes perfect sense that crime would rise when jobs are scarce. Denying high unemployment and its effect on societies does no tourist any good.

We got back from a week in Paris on Tuesday, (several posts on here describe our trip).

We were never in the remotest danger of having our pockets picked. We did not go to Sacre Couer, the Eiffel Tower or ride the Metro Line 1 between Bastille and Etoile. Nobody is going to pick your pocket between Etoile and La Defense, but you have a measureable chance of being hit between the Gare de Lyon and Chatelet. We saw one (1) Gypsy begging, no kids, at Notre Dame.

I am sorry for those of you who have been robbed. It may well happen to me some day, but Paris is not full of robbers and thieves. The tourist areas have robbers and thieves because that is where the money is. No one would do the gold ring trick if rubes didn't continue to fall for it. The police don't get excited because it was ever thus and because both they and the bad guys know that you are not going to fly back to Paris to testify in court.

There is a YouTube video of a young woman saying, "Vas-t-en." It means "go away" and sounds enough like "Boston" to be easy. There are more polite and far less polite ways to convey the same idea to anyone who gets in your personal space.

amy -

Sorry - as a native New Yorker this is second nature to me. there are 9 million of us here and while I am always pleasant to neighbors and local shopkeepers - random people on the street could be anyone - and all children should be taught to exercise caution and protect themselves.

There are scams everywhere - and if you fall for them - sorry, but shame on you for not being more aware and alert.

If you carry around a pot of honey you are going to attract flies. For decades it's been know by the Union of Paris Pickpockets that orientals carry inordinate amounts of cash. Orientals also tend to dress rather well. Do you want the poor pickpockets picking on starving American students or on chubby Chinese businessmen? I met one of those capitalist(?) Chinese guys who nearly had his wallet picked in Metro Saint Michel. He had a good story because he was quick and saved his stash.

My sister has lived I france since the age of 20..Her husband is a Frenchman..She told me again and again to be more aware around the train station .
My son was robbed on the metro on our way to le Sacre Coeur..The second time he was able to remove the elderly lady hand that were already in his fanny pack.

The only suggestion that I have is to be aware of your surroundings and keep your bag close to your chest.

When I travel these days and want to bring my DSLR, I use a big purse that has a closed inside compartment big enough to fit the camera and my normal stuff I carry (wallet, pen, phone, etc.). I carry it on my shoulder but with a firm (yet nonchalant) grip. Never had a problem, knock on wood. IMO, locking camera bags, fanny packs, etc. just scream TOURIST. I try to blend in and hold it close when on public transportation.

Like so many people mentioned, it's about being aware of your surroundings. I've seen tourists at Sacre Couer fall for the bracelet scam, but I do my research and know not to trust anyone. I believe if you look nervous and scared, you will become a target yourself. Before my first trip to Italy years ago, I was so worried about having my money belt and neck thingy, but I got to Venice and realized I just needed to use caution like I would in any city at home.

Wow. Reading this makes me sad, mostly for the people it might scare off. I was just recently in Paris for a week for my first time, and loved it, loved it, loved it. No problems whatsoever. And we even did go to many of the major tourist areas.

I had two different purses I used. Mostly, one that was about 8 x 6 inches. Sometimes, one that was more around 10 square inches. Both have long shoulder straps, and just like when in NY or Philly, I wore them diagonally on the front of my body. When in the touristy areas and on the metro, I comfortably and casually kept a hand over it. I was using my phone camera, and took it out whenever I wanted, and just put it back in when I was done. DH used our "real" camera and never had a problem either.

We did have the "petition takers" come up to us a few times, we just walked on (actually, one of our friends stopped once to talk, but I kept going, and he remarkably wasn't pickpocketed, I think because of how careful he was being). And a couple times someone would say "Do you speak English" and again, despite it feeling counter to what I'd normally do, I just kept walking. And that was that.

I'm sorry NYCFoodSnob that your educated and experienced traveler friends had such bad experiences. Did you ask what the circumstances of their being accosted were?

I don't deny other realities and certainly the story of the Louvre workers on strike shortly before my long-planned trip, made me anxious, which I hadn't been til then. Clearly there must be a problem but I do want anyone considering going, especially for a first time, to hear that there are those of us who never would have known there was a problem had we not read about it back home.

All very helpful information as Paris enters our travel plans. May I ask though, would a greater, physical, build of tourists present any sort of "deterrent" in the belligerent targeting effort? Even if the belligerents come in groups?...

Also, where in particular, are the Parisian locations of these frequent pick-pocketing attacks?

The metro is number one culpit...

zexworld - I don't know if the size of a target would put off a seasoned pickpocket. I'm 6' 2" and fairly well built and always get approached by the 'census takers' whenever I arrive at Gare du Nord.

My 'strategy' for seeing them off consists of a shake of the head and a "no" or "non" spoken in a completely normal tone whilst looking them right in the eye. They usually move right along (even if they are in a group) as they spend all day doing what they do and know when there's no point pursuing a particular target any further.

As many people have said above, as long as you take the proper precautions you'll be fine. I unfortunately have no idea what the proper precautions are as I never do anything differently when I'm abroad compared to when I'm at home.

Thinking about this another way; I often travel in the opposite direction from many posters here (Europe to the U.S. rather than the other way 'round) and I've never once felt it necessary to buy specialist wallets / bags / anything when I've traveled to any major U.S. city.

I'm fully aware that there's crime in New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta or Los Angeles and having ridden the various equivalents of public transport in all of these cities (as well as having spent extended periods in all of them) I still wouldn't deem it necessary.

I've never made any special precautions (other than carrying my passport with me so I can get a drink when I fancy it) and thankfully (perhaps luckily) have never encountered a single problem either here (in Europe) or the U.S.

Maybe it's a mindset, maybe it's the way I look or maybe it's just dumb luck. Whatever it is, the (very slim) possibility of me being a victim of crime whilst I'm abroad is not going to stop me from going to places I want to go to.

Would any of the posters above that said people going to Paris should be on their guard all the time (or even possibly consider not going) say the same thing to a European who was wanting to go to New York for the first time?

<i><font color=#555555>"Did you ask what the circumstances of their being accosted were? "</font></i>

Since I am a former property owner in Paris, I asked a million questions of both families.

<i><font color=#555555>"The metro is number one culprit…"</font></i>

The one mother with daughters were pushed onto a metro train, separated from the husband. After they gathered their wits on the moving train, they discovered their wallets and iphone's were gone. The family is convinced they were a victim of group crime. They were singled out by a group of people who work together in the Metro. They push unsuspecting people onto the train, acting like there's some mad rush to get on, and in the process they rob you.

The ballsy mother recognized one of her pushers, and she approached, demanding her wallet back. He started yelling at her in French, while other passengers on the train berated her for accusing an innocent man of a crime. It's as if the entire group worked to humiliate her in public to get her to back off. One person exiting the train spit on her daughter's head.

<i><font color=#555555>"Would any of the posters above that said people going to Paris should be on their guard all the time (or even possibly consider not going) say the same thing to a European who was wanting to go to New York for the first time? "</font></i>

You can't compare apples to oranges.

New York City has barely felt any brunt from the financial collapse of 2008. The lines at the Union Square Whole Foods are insane. Yes, there are more homeless on the streets now, but if they are found drunk, the police will remove them.

Police presence here is still very strong, especially in the subway. This is one reason why Bloomberg remains a popular mayor. Crime continues to be down.

If French visitors openly complained about being accosted, I imagine a small crowd would gather to help them, and cops soon after. Good luck finding that kind of hospitality in Paris these days.

Pickpocketing seems to be more of a European crime, mugging to be more of an American crime. Still, I wear a money belt in Paris, and I wear a money belt in New York. I was once pickpocketed in Rome, but the thief got very little.

"Fashion retailers complain street crime is ruining Paris tourism"

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/2...paris-tourism/

"The one mother with daughters were pushed onto a metro train, separated from the husband. After they gathered their wits on the moving train, they discovered their wallets and iphone's were gone. The family is convinced they were a victim of group crime. They were singled out by a group of people who work together in the Metro. They push unsuspecting people onto the train, acting like there's some mad rush to get on, and in the process they rob you."

Yep, that's one way it works, though the more common ploy is to act like there is a big rush to get off, bumping past all the Americans standing near the door, and lifting wallets as the go. They are a gang, and they, according to the police, are Romanians (he did not say "Rom") and this is how they earn their living. Do you know if your friends were on Line 1? I have seen them work there, thus my warning.

"The ballsy mother recognized one of her pushers, and she approached, demanding her wallet back. He started yelling at her in French, while other passengers on the train berated her for accusing an innocent man of a crime. It's as if the entire group worked to humiliate her in public to get her to back off. One person exiting the train spit on her daughter's head."

When and where did this happen? At the time? Same place? Was she out looking for them? Would she have done this in New York? Washington? What she should have done is taken a picture of the ALLEGED perp and gone to the local police instead of pitching a hissy. She is lucky that she was not in a city where someone would slap her upside the head -- or a lot worse -- for that outburst.

I refuse to travel to one of the most picturesque cities (ie. Paris) without my dslr. I took this bag a few months ago and loved it! For me, it is important to have cross-shoulder style (ie. messanger bag style) but as small as possible.

http://kellymoorebag.com/womens/riva/riva-tang.html

We were just in Paris - I traveled with 3 kids. I did notice more petition takers and panhandlers than before. I had "the talk" with the kids about how to be safe and be cautious. We were lucky that it was cold, so iphones can go in an inside pocket inside my coat - a little safer there.

One incident that quite honestly really bummed me out was behind Notre Dame. There is a small park there - along with a spinny table you sit on. There were 2 boys and their dad - but I immediately had my back up when I saw them. They were very welcoming to my kids - "come, I push you" "what is your name" "how old are you". I noticed the dad was happy to push my kids on this thing. I knew it was coming and about 5 minutes later one of the younger boys came over and asked for money. I'm embarrassed to admit that I gave him some coins (a euro or two) - but only because my kids were there and I didn't want it to turn ugly. I sat there watching and the boys and dad never left the spinny thing, but were happy to welcome other kids on it - large and small. The dad was "happy" to push all of them - slower or faster as ages dictated.

What could/should I have done? Not a crime to help and then ask for money. They didn't steal anything. It is a park open to all. Yet, I felt extorted. I walked past that park many more times that trip and saw them a few more times - clearly, that was their "business" for the day.

That is a different I see in Paris. Do I feel less "safe" ? Maybe. Am I more cautious? Absolutely. Does it make me sad? Definitely.

We just returned from a trip that included Prague and Budapest, two cities known for pickpockets. Even our guides warned us about this threat.

Since we were aware of this beforehand, my DH and I both bought PacSafe travel bags that have built in safeguards against theft. After much searching, I found Wayfair to have the best prices and the customer service was great.

http://www.wayfair.com/keyword.php?k...rd_search=true

I bought the CitySafe 100 bag and DH bought the MetroSafe 200 bag. Both had all the antitheft features that PacSafe is known for such as slashproof strap and slashguard panels, as well as tamperproof zippers.

DH always carried his wallet in his front pocket and never in his back pocket. We never carried all of our money or credit cards at one time. What was left behind was kept in the room safe. I always carried my bag across my body.

One of the men on our tour did have his wallet stolen in Prague. Unfortunately, he was carrying it in his back pocket.

FoodSnob - I must say that I'm intrigued by your perception of New York, where someone making a scene would have a group of passersby stop to help, closely followed by the police. I'm not saying it's not likely, but it does seem to go against the the usual comments you see on forums regarding New Yorkers and their interactions with tourists.

French people do ask exactly the same questions about New York as Americans do about Paris ( a couple of examples for you;

http://www.routard.com/forum_message...a_new_york.htm

http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3229...ances%20D20754

and if you read the responses you'll see that the they're pretty similar to what gets written here. Some people say it's dangerous and others say it's not.

You also say that police presence is strong on the subway, but there were none around on the train I was on the to Bronx when a homeless guy started ranting and raving, forced open the doors of the moving train so he could throw out whatever he was eating and start hassling the women in the carriage. No-one did anything to stop him, or call the police. In fact, when he finally got off, my aunt turned to me and said "welcome to New York".

"DH always carried his wallet in his front pocket and never in his back pocket. We never carried all of our money or credit cards at one time. What was left behind was kept in the room safe. I always carried my bag across my body."

This is what we do when travelling anywhere. Actually DH carries his wallet in his front pocket all the time, not just on trips. We each carry cards for different accounts and have a back up set of cards back in the room, or carried in a different place if we are moving with all of our luggage.

FoodSnob - I was intrigued by your line "New York City has barely felt any brunt from the financial collapse of 2008" so thought I'd look into it.

A couple of articles seem to refute that claim;

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/22/ny...erty.html?_r=0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1899675.html

I'm not bashing, I love New York but your (to my eyes) slightly rose tinted view of it doesn't really ring true.

The group of Romas (whatever) were working the Opera line when we were there one time. They waited until the doors were about to close, pushed onto the train--I felt one looking for my stuff, yelled at her==and yelled at DH to watch out. Then they all darted off the train as the doors were closing. Big smirks on their faces through the window--but they didn't get anything from us.
We were there again later in the week and saw the same group--I just stared at them the whole time. There was an "older" one, and a lot of younger ones.

I will also be carrying a Pacsafe crossbody bag with all the security features and locking main compartment. Product video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZqAp0CpcB8