Well, not me actually, but my husband and my father-in-law were both victims. I wanted to post this so others would be aware, as I am sure most of you are already. We arrived in Rome (FCO) and took the express train to Termini. There were 3 of us: me, my husband, and his father. We were each had a rolling piece of luggage and a shoulder-carried small piece. I had already discussed security with my fellow travelers, as I had been to Rome several times previously with other groups, and knew of some of the dangers.

Anyway, as we were leaving Termini Station, we were surrounded by 3 or 4 children and a woman. They were intent upon touching us, putting their arms around us, etc, and asking for money. We were able to get away from them, and though we were safe....just then, a little girl came running up to us shouting "Sir...you dropped your passport" to my husband. (As I had already warned everyone NOT to put anything of value in any place where it might be at risk, I assumed the child was lying). I had even bought neck pouches for my husband and father in law.

Anyway, the child was not lying...she had my husband's passport in her hand. She "sold" it back to him. Of course I was upset...my husband had just stuck his passport in his jacket pocket after going thru C/I at the airport, and it had remained there for the entire train trip to Termini.

That wasn't the end of it....on our last night in Rome we took the metro from Barberini to the Vatican to see how it looked at night...about 8 p.m. which is not really that late.

Anyway, as we boarded the metro train, several teen-agers boarded with us. There were VERY FEW people in our car. We stood together. Suddenly I felt a hand under my jacket...a young girl was trying to get her hand in my zipped/pinned/hidden purse. I let her know that I knew what she was doing, and moved away. Then, the group of teens surrounded my father in law. I was not too concerned, as we had already had the incident at Termini, and therefore we had discussed AGAIN the importance of using the neck wallet, and I knew he was using his. The teens got off at the very next stop...all of this happened in the space of just a few minutes...the time between Barberini and the next stop. When they got off, I noticed that my father in law's shirt was missing a button near the middle...and when I pointed it out, he discoverd that he had been pickpocketed out of his neck wallet....He had been wearing it under his shirt, but on TOP of his UNDERSHIRT!!!!! I never thought to make it clear to him that he should wear it under BOTH....I did not think it would be necessary to say it, but I now regret not being more direct.

I just wanted to remind travelers that security cannot be overemphasized...being smart means you will have a much better chance of avoiding nasty incidents like these!!!

We are going back to Rome, Venice, and Florence with friends in February 2006 and I will be sure the be explicit in my security briefings!

Happy Travels!

You really had some bad luck to experience this twice in one trip. But, the areas you mention are high targets for pick pockets. I wanted to mention another high target area in Rome and that would be the train station across from the Coloseum. Actually, on a busy day this whole area is bad, but the train station there has to be one of the worst spots. I have been there several times and did not have an incident, but I was made to feel uneasy as I saw several groups of kids hanging around.

Thanks for posting this. I will print it out and re-read it over and over before we go in April. Would hate to be naive and stupid and have it ruin our honeymoon.

Thanks again.

Bob

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Forewarned is forearmed.

As I type this, there are probably those checking your previous posts, quantity and quality, preparing to issue troll alerts, and others who are looking to attack you because of your audacity to relate your unfortunate experience in Rome; and yet others who apologize for and excuse criminal behavior, or others who will demand to know why you named Rome, as it is the same everywhere. Be thankful you didn't use the G-word.

Be prepared for the onslaught.

Thanks for posting, jandaan.

It's amazing how quickly the experienced ones can actually be IN YOUR CLOTHES in a second, scary and creepy.

Don't worry about kjosker said, it all has to do with the way information is presented.

Reminds me of the magicians in Las Vegas who pull somone on stage and then proceed to remove items from him.

Thanks for reporting this, it pays to be aware.

Given the condition most of us arrive in (after overnight flights to Europe), it sounds like your party was fairly cautious...neck wallets and all. Frankly, the notion of a gang of teenagers surrounding a single male tourist on public transportation sounds quite intimidating. Let alone the young women that are consistently encouraged on this forum to travel to Rome solo. I look forward to traveling to Italy, but I dread having my family serve as targets for thieves and petty thugs. And NO, it isn't the same in all urban destinations in Europe and elsewhere.

victoria, the only thing you can do is take precautions. But you shouldn't even go if it's going to fill you with dread. You family may never be a target (as mine, luckily, never has been).

jandaan, thanks, my husband wants to have a "heart to heart" talk about our first upcoming trip to Italy and questioning if I am putting him in any "dangerous" settings. Someone at his work has been telling tales about Naples (of course, Sorrento and the surrounding area are on our schedule) and now he wants to know just where I am taking him.

My husband thwarted a pickpocket attempt at a Paris metro station on one trip so I really didn't want to dwell on the topic but from your experience I guess I should urge him to take greater precautions than just "keep a grip on your wallet". He is very tall so it is almost impossible for him to blend with the crowd.

We are taking the express train from the airport, staying in the area closer to the coloseum than the Pantheon because we do like taking metros rather than buses.

Thanks for the warning. Deborah

I think that the precautions mentioned above are good advice if that makes travelers more comfortable. I do think that being laden with luggage, large or small, does make one a target, esp in Termini, but of course that can't be avoided, we travel with luggage. I have not been a crime victim while traveling, and I don't use hidden wallets, but I'm sure this was very upsetting and I am sorry for your troubles.

I can't tell for sure, when you encountered the children in Termini, and the teenagers sourrounded you in the metro, if you were LOUD while you were getting away from them or observing them. Too many of us, being well brought-up and too embarrassed to want to make a scene, tend not to raise our voices, or shout for help, or shout "Vai Via!" (go away!) in a way that calls attention to what is going on. I'd rather be wrong, or feel foolish, than be meek about letting the possible criminal, and others, know that I am aware of what they are trying to do.

I have traveled solo (am female)to Rome three times (each were long trips) and haven't been pickpocketed (knock on wood). I go out of my way to be inconspicuous and I use a moneybelt, secure purse, etc. I do think that if you're solo and you're clearly paying attention (glaring at would-be thieves when need be), you're a bit less of a target. A group talking to each other, who seem to be distracted, might be more so. That's just my theory, anyway, and it may or may not be valid.

I do NOT think fear of thieves should be a reason to stay home or not take a solo trip.

I agree with Elaine. Noise and a ruckus helps draw attention, which they don't want. "Basta!" "Polizia!"

Elaine, you are so right about being polite and not wanting to make a scene. I was just ahead of my husband when the two people tried the "squeeze-play" on him and I looked behind to see him shoving at someone. I was so surprised because my husband is a very gentle man. Deborah

I am sorry to hear about your misfortunes in Rome. I have been robbed in Naples and frankly, feel more uncomfortable there than in Rome. Yes, all travelers should definitely be aware of train station areas and shifty characters in all large cities, Rome not to be excluded.

Gypsies are frequent in Rome and not just around the Termini Station area. Last year in the popular and crowded Campo Dei Fiori area, a young (11 year old?) girl swiped 2 slices of pizza literally off my 4 year old child's plate while we were sitting outside eating (well, she was wandering around inside looking at the food displays at the counter). Her pizza slices were kindly replaced and a lesson well-learned by my young one (stay at the table when eating!). A year before that, my brother and I were followed by some young Gypsy teenage girls (I thought they were trying to talk to my handsome brother!). They ended up surrounding him and touching him, etc. just as your experience was in Termini. Fortunately, my brother pushed them off very brusquely and yelled, which scattered them immediately with no items taken - fortunately!

There are some very clever tactics out there - on subways/metros, busses, trains, etc - it can be an uncomfortable situation that can catch anyone off-guard. I am sorry that your family members had to have multiple encounters with thieves and can only that your February trip will be better. Good luck!

My parents were assaulted/"pick-pocketed" in daylight in public while in Venice. Making noise, being aware of their surroundings, etc. did not help as the attackers were on mopeds. Without dwelling on all that was taken and my mother's injuries, the one thing we were all grateful for was that, as we remind ALL traveling abroad, they had copies of their passports, birth certificates, health insurance info, and a major credit card copy (there are ways to also protect yourself from the possible use of this info if these copies are somehow taken)located in a compartment within a piece of luggage in the room safe (not on their person). Please make sure you do this (and/or leave copies at home w/ a loved one for FAXing)as it was the saving grace in expediting their safe return home.

Paris is not immune either. Be attentive to your belongings on Metro Line 1 and in the stations of Chatalet, and the ones that also go through the main train stations: Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, Austerlitz and Gare de Lyon.

I know a man whose pocket was picked by someone who must have used a razor blade to cut his sport coat pocket from inside the coat to gain access to its contents.

Beware of someone who drops or throws change on the floor also. It is a common trick to divert your attention.

Gypsies tramps and thieves...

I feel the need to repeat this here:

A simple, little can of breath-spray works wonders as a deterrent. I can't tell you how many times I've come to the aid of unsuspecting tourists in Rome with my small can of "Dust Off." None of the assailants know what you're pulling out of your bag and you don't need to spray one squirt. As long as they see a small can in your hand pointed at them, they will run away from you.

This has worked every time for me.

Fodor's very own caped crusader with breath mint spray! Saw this on the "G-word" thread and thought you were joking, NYFSnb. I guess you aren't-- interesting idea, but I'd have to switch from those little dissolving papers to the spray. No one would back off from a postage stamp-sized Scope.