Thieves slashing backpacks in Europe?
 

The lady at my local travel store told me that some thieves have decided that it is easier to slash the side of a backpack to pull out the contents. Has anyone heard of this happening? It seems a bit extreme to me!

Did she say what country this was? Europe is a continent of 45 countries...

I don't think this is anything new at all..another reason I prefer a regular purse or messenger bag

This is not something new, I know a lady whose purse was slashed in Mexico. She never knew what happened until it was over. She looked down at her purse and saw a big hole, and of course, her wallet was gone.

I would not be surprised if it happens from time to time in Europe or anywhere else, but I don't think it's rampant. Anywhere you go, tourists will be a target for theft.

This has been going on all over the world, not just Europe, for decades. This is not news. Sure, it happens from time to time, but it's not something to get worked up about or make special arrangements for.

She never specified a country. (I'll be in Italy, France and England.) I'll be using a GOOD quality backpack that is a thick nylon material. I would think that slashing this material would require a fair amount of force. I don't plan on carrying my passport or c-cards in it, I'd just be angry.

Hi C,

People have been doing that for centuries.

They are called "cutpurses".

((I))

So, bottomline is just be aware?

Canuck girl: As the others say, this has been happening as long as there have been backpacks. And it happens everywhere in the world. Backpacks do have their advantages - but one major disadvantage is they are BACKpacks. They are out of your sight on your back and all sorts of things can be happening back there w/o you having a clue. Pickpockets/thieves are pretty quick and can slash your bag and be off with what they want before you have felt a thing.

Might you consider traveling with something other than a backpack? Anytime something is carried on your back (even a small day pack, for example) it is necessarily out of your sight. While her bag was not slashed, I do have a friend who found hers unzipped several times after being on a crowded Metro in Paris.

This is not new news, as other posters have said above. You might want to read over on www.lonelyplanet.com and their bulletin board calle the Thorn Tree. There are many dedicated backpackers who post there. See what they say to this question.

Slashing backpacks does not sound that extreme to me! It reminds me of a sight I saw about eight years ago on my first trip to Rome...empty shoulder bags with the straps broken strewn around the parking lot of the train station. What a sight to behold! From that day forward I have put my purse under my jacket! All seasons and all countries!

good morning janis, great minds think alike -LOL!

Thieves have been slashing backpacks since people have started carrying them. This is nothing new at all. And it's not just in europe - it's anywhere in the world.

One very good reason not to carry your belongings in a way that is so easy for others to access - unless you avoid any crowded places - like train or bus stations - or public transit.

You could carry a small rolling suitcase or duffle bag instead. That would eliminate the potential problem.

I was in Italy this summer for the European Backpack Slashers Convention. It was pretty huge. I'd be worried.

Backpacks are an invitation for theft. A traveling companion's backpack was slashed in Prague, and no one noticed anything until she realized her money, credit cards, passport, tickets and all her documents were gone.
((S))((*))

My father had a neck pouch and had it slashed in the Paris Métro during rush hour and on a crowded train. His passport and credit cards were all stolen. The French police found it a few months later and sent it to us.

Well - I'll offer a different opinion here. Yes, there is the risk of having a backpack slashed and you are more susceptible to theft IF you have your backpack on your back in crowded areas.

I still like using a small daypack as it leaves my hands free, is much healthier for my back (no straps digging in my shoulder, and allows me to carry more than just a guidebook and small bottle of water (35 mm SLR with an extra lens is bulky!).

In crowded areas (metro, buses, busy streets) I just slip my backpack to my front and wrap my arms around it. I have never had an incident of theft. Oh...I have travelled in Western and Eastern Europe, South America, and Northern Africa incident free.

Common sense prevails here- no matter what you choose to use. Be aware of your immediate surroundings and know where your belongings are at all times.

I usually only carry a backpack while I'm traveling from one place to the next....airport, etc...HOWEVEVER, since I carry my camera equipment in it, the backpack is really a FRONTpack...yes, I carry it in front, it may look stupid, but I am fully aware of it and I don't think a "slasher" would attempt it while it is in front.... The other reason why I personally think a back pack is a bad idea while visiting during the day is that if you go in a store or a museum or anywhere else, you have no idea what or who you might knock with it...which is rather inconsiderate.

I know the suggestion is controversial, but if using a backpack and public transit, then consider wearing a moneybelt or leg belt, worn under clothing and not visible. This is to hold valuable documents and cards, not the day's spending money, and you should not have to access it in public. And if using public transit, pack light enough so you aren't an instant target.

I just thought of something I do when I need to carry more than just money. I also use a day pack and wear it in front of me in crowded places such as the metro. (We called it the "baby" when we were in Greece.) It looks stupid, but, hey, it seems to work. The key is to buy an unstructured one. I have a Samsonite one that can be stuffed in a pouch and it has held up great for ten years. There are photos all over Europe of me with my "baby."

"I was in Italy this summer for the European Backpack Slashers Convention. It was pretty huge. I'd be worried."

Oh no, say it isn't so....Backpack slashing has escalated into a form of organized crime!!


BEWARE, WATCH YOUR BACKPACK!!

There have been some backpacks I have wanted to slash while sitting on planes or trains after getting banged on the head with them! Wish everyone who used a backpack would be aware of people around them. Those heavy backpacks can really hurt when you get hit with one.

LOL, LoveItaly!! Did you want to attack the backpack, or the irresponsible person who hit you with it?? :-))

Thanks for all of the input everyone!-I was previously only worried about someone opening the zippers to steal stuff. The backpack I have has lots of compartments, most with their own zippers. Since this still seems to be the most practical for me, I'll just have to keep aware and maybe carry it in front around crowds.

>>>>This has been going on all over the world, not just Europe, for decades. This is not news. Sure, it happens from time to time, but it's not something to get worked up about or make special arrangements for.<<<<<<

What??????

It does not hurt for people to take extra security measures to insure their own personal security.
Or is this being a typical mean American to you? #:-S #-o

I think packing the backpack as light and small as possible (not overstuffed where it's hard for you to manage) helps make it a somewhat more safe and reasonable solution.

Okay, so let me get this straight: I only wear black walking shoes and all black clothing in 100+ degree heat to "blend in" with the locals and not look so "touristy" - only to cart a backpack around in front of me like some sort of weird psuedo baby.

I think I'm better off wearing my white sneakers, comfy shorts, looking like a tourist, and just taking precautions with whatever I use to tote my stuff in. All this well-meaning advice just gets too jumbled up sometimes!

I think common sense needs to take a front seat here, but that's just my uneducated opinion.

I've heard rather frequently about soft-sided tote bags slashed while in Russia. Backpacks where not common then. This is not something new.

<<Or is this being a typical mean American to you?>>

Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about, sunstar.

I stick by my point that the fact that some thieves have been known to slash backpacks in Europe does not mean I or anyone else has to make SPECIAL arrangements. Obviously, the usual precautions are in order.

Hi P_M, well if the truth be known I have felt like bopping a few people carrying backpacks on the top of the head with my shoulder bag, LOL. But one must restrain themselves.

LoveItaly, now you know better - just slash them! LOL

<It does not hurt for people to take extra security measures to insure their own personal security.>

sunstar, no one on this thread has been talking about personal safety. we're talking about the most practical kind of luggage.

People go to great lengths to protect their backpacks... as far as wrapping them in a chain-metal kind of casing &/or securing them with combination locks. I'm no expert because it's not my style of travel, but as I mentioned above, if you post and read on a backpackers website you can get input from others who actually use backpacks.

But,but,but Faina, would I still be able to log onto Fodor's if I was in prison? You see the problem! So I restrain myself.

I've never had any problems... my backpack is made of 1/2 inch thick steel with a double combo lock. Between that and the shotgun, most folks just leave me be.

<b>LoveItaly:</b> You should come to my school! We do have internet access, PLUS we have halls full of children carrying half their body weight in unwieldy backpacks! They have no CLUE how big they are sometimes! I can't tell you how often I get clobbered!!

<b>Faina:</b> When we go to Russia, my kids look like the LLBean Squad, but they all do the &quot;pregnant look&quot; on the metro!

Oh, I wondered why some tourists have their backpacks backwards! Training to replace Schwartzenegger in his pregnant movie re-run! (forgot the name of that movie)

I carry a 22&quot;suitcase on wheels and a backback, but I would never ride public transportation with the backpack, though not big, on my back (or while shopping.) I had a bump on my head from some American riding the Metro who turned and hit me with his large pack.
Slashing handbags and luggage happens all over the world. We once left a party in the early hours of the morning when someone wearing larceny shoes silently ran up and slashed the shoulder strap of my bag.

LOL, julie Colorado, the shotgun? Funny.
I remember years and years ago, friends having their purses cut off their shoulders in
New York City. Perhaps that is where this thiefy trend started, or would it have been in Paris, where so many trends begin? Or Milan?
I have learned that a big part of having a good time on a trip is to Not believe everything you hear from friends and neighbors. They all say the darndest things!