Obviously, Pickpockets are an issue in just about every large city in Europe with special emphasis on multi-cultural and port cities (i.e. London, Barcelona, Rome, Paris). What are your tricks for not getting pickpocketed, or better yet for not getting targeted?
I've always thought the less touristy you look the fewer times you are going to have issues!
Looking forward to everyone's opinion!

What is this overwhelming concern with pickpockets - this is not the first post. Come to Europe, behave sensibly, and enjoy yourself.

The only time it happened to me was in New York, and I was not paying attention. But I don't automatically assume it will happen the next time I go there, or to another big city.

Carlux, I don't think that answered the OP question....
"What is this overwhelming concern with pickpockets..."
well, for one thing: people carry $$,camara,id,some carry passport (i just take a copy) etc,etc...no one wants to let that spoil their vacation...
On your Pickpocket in NY...of course it can happen anywhere...I don't travel much in the US, so i cant tell you, but there is a reason people are concerned...because they are "getting pickpocketed" that is a fact!...

so, to answer SPBARCA's question;
I totally think like you, i try to dress well, as in nice jeans,no tenis shoes, no bright colors (which I love) but I don't want to draw more attention to my self than needed.

I also walk very straight,tall & sure of myself...like with a purpose...i've never been pickpocketed! & i travel by my self always.
I'm also looking forward to other posts!

Yes - you don't want to look "touristy" - but let's face it - you are going to anyway no matter how you try to blend in!

That being said, I think you need to follow some common sense. Don't take out your wallet on public streets, keep only the barest amount of $/credit cards you absolutely need.

Men - don't keep your wallet in your back pocket.
Ladies - make use of any zippered compartments in your purse.
Don't sling your purse over a restaurant chair.
Don't flaunt expensive jewelry.

Make copies of all credit cards just in case.
Just be aware, sensible and have fun!!

Absolutely no tricks are required. Just be careful.

Keep credit cards and bills in front pocket. That way if a pickpocket tries to grab your goods you'll get something out of the experience.

"Don't take out your wallet on public streets"

That is ridiculous. Take out your wallet whenever you need to take it out, just like Parisians do. If you are acting totally paranoid, that will certainly increase your interest as a target.

Pickpockets are not a uniquely European thing even if reading this forum you get the feeling that that is the case.

Wear what you want, bright colours, tennis shoes, anything - Europeans all do. You will feel happier in what you normally wear than in some special vacation uniform.

Be alert, especially when boarding leaving public transport or queuing for anything. Don't have your wallet in a pocket - any pocket. Have zips on bags and use them. Carry the bag in front of you. Be careful when you visit public loos.
Don't carry wodges of cash about with you, and certainly don't flash it about if you feel you must have a lot of money about your person.

I was a victim in the Barcelona metro - fortunately my loss was small as I carry limited cash. The theives actually threw away the coin purse they had stealthily extracted from my zipped bag in a nearby trash can with a credit card untouched!
I now regard any bump on public transportation as a potential attempt.

The day after our event we went back to the same metro station and sat down watching and within 10 minutes we can see a group going into action. They stand at the end of the platform and identify their target - then one will block the door and another move up and fish from behind. We moved up behind them and started yelling "ladrones, thief" - they ran. I am encouraging all us Fodorites to form an unofficial posse - watch for these theives, they are easy to spot and shout out!

I always take a small day backpack with me when travelling - just to fit wallet, camera, umbrella, and perhaps a small bottle of water. Then I sling it around and carry it in front of my body. A thief would have trouble undoing the zippers right in front of me! In Lucerne once a friend was sitting in a public place; she lit a cigarette and put the cigs & lighter down next to her. Got distracted, turned around and they were gone! As previously said, just be aware and sensible...it can happen anywhere.

Nobody has ever tried to pickpocket me in Europe or elsewhere, I just am not careless with my belongings, that's all. I don't have things dangling around open at my side, I don't carry backpacks, etc. I don't lay my purse down in metro car, I don't carry an open purse (some are open at the top), in fact, I don't let my purse dangle down when I'm on public transportation, I always carry it with my hand over the opening (which is a zipper top).

I think people who are pickpocketed are just carelss with their things. People only pickpocket people when they think they are not watching exactly what they are doing, of course. So if your belongings can be removed without you seeing someone, you can be pickpocketed. Mine cannot.

I don't use money belts, either.

Keep your important items in your hotel: passport (take a copy), ID, keys of home, irreplaceable photos, airline tickets…
Don't carry anything in the back pocket.
Don't hang your jacket on the back of chair.
Move away from people a little too close in the subway.
Don't wear expensive jewelry/watch.

I'm currently in Rome and had read all the warnings.

My impressions and experiences: People wear whatever they want. I see every kind of clothing, shoes, etc. In fact, it's much more casual than I imagined. I see a lot of cross body bags and women (locals especially) clutch onto their bags on the metro/buses. I also see a lot of sneakers, tanks, shorts, skinny jeans, short dresses, long dresses, etc. etc.

No matter what you are wearing the tourists stand out with their cameras, maps, guide books, etc.

I just use common sense:

1. I use a cross body bag and my money is in a coin purse inside the purse (zippered up).

2. In large crowds I physically hold on to the purse.

3. I only keep 1 credit card and a small amount of cash. That way if I do get robbed, they aren't getting everything.

4. On buses/metros the bag is in front of my body and my hand is on it at all times.

I avoid the vendors pushing their wares and walk with confidence.

I would do this in any major city....so it's not any different whether I am at home (in a major US city) or on vacation.

Well shut my mouth and call me careless.

I have been pickpocketed and I have stopped attempted pickpocketing. Now I take extra precautions.

I use a crossbody bag. I have a large one that I use when actually traveling, and I have sewn a secret pocket into it. In go the passports, credit cards, and most of the cash.

I have a small one I use during the day, with inner zipper pockets, where I carry a credit card and cash. The rest go in a safe.

And I follow all the other precautions mentioned above.

I travel in NYC several times every year and have never been a victim to a pick pocket there. That doesn't mean that I will deny that New York has pick pockets.

"Keep credit cards and bills in front pocket."

My husband would disagree with this advice. He also believed that he would certainly know if anyone tried to take his wallet from his front pocket. Well, he was wrong, and someone on the Madrid Metro relieved him of it one morning.

The Metro car was crowded and we were standing by the door. When the doors opened at a stop, a man standing next to us told my husband that a man who was just stepping off the train had stolen his wallet. Of course, we all jumped off the train and my husband and a traveling companion gave chase. Picture two 60+ guys chasing a 20-something local. We wives waited by the Metro entrance and ten minutes later, we were all headed back to the hotel to make notifying phone calls. After thinking about it, I concluded that this was probably a pair of thieves. The "helpful" man on the train actually had the wallet, while his partner in crime was the runner.

This was our first experience with pickpocketing in Europe after many trips and lengthy residence there, so it can happen to anyone. I'm very careful with my purse, and husband's wallet no longer travels in an accessible pocket.

Of course pickpocketing is not uniquely European, but when it happens to you, it is an annoying and time-consuming event while you deal with notifying various credit cards, etc. In our case, time spent dealing with it was our only loss apart from a small amount of cash. Christina and hetismij give good advice to be careful and alert, especially in those places where the risk is high (public transportation, crowds, etc.)

I would never carry a wallet and if I did I would not carry it in a front pocket. A front pants pocket is made for a pickpocket. The front pocket is lose and they can have your wallet and everything else before you know it. I wear a money belt that loops over my belt where I carry my credit cards and extra money. I only carry enough money in my front pocket for expensives at the time. If I need extra money, I will go in a store and use the bathroom or behind a clothes rack to get the extra money. I do not wear jewelry except for a cheap wrist watch. The only clothes that I bring home are my shirts and socks. I take worn clothes that I am ready to get rid of and throw away after I wear them. So I do not look very good. I really don't care. I probably will never see those people again. You do not need to impress anyone.

suec1.. good for you! Love it!

Eight years ago one of our group had his wallet stolen in Paris, and one of the biggest problems was that they had to buy new Chunnel tickets because he couldn't produce the credit card that he had used for the prepaid tickets. Oddly enough, the new tickets were cheaper.

oh -- as to the question, what tricks do you use...? I sewed a little zippered pouch that has a cord that attaches to a belt loop. It is just big enough to hold a credit card and some cash. (Got the idea from the ones that come with/used to come with Ex Officio pants.) If someone tried to take it out of my pocket, they'd soon realize it is attached to my pants!! I've used it on numerous trips in Germany, Holland, Italy and France.

Tricks?

I don't use tricks. I travel around European cities the way I do around here in the USA. No tricks are useful. No matter where I am in the world I walk around with a purse that is sort of like a message bag, I guess. I have it slung across my shoulder. Everything I own that's of value is in there. I refuse to use a money belt - I think they are more trouble than they are worth and are stupid - you have to do dumb things to get into them and get your money.