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WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I CAUGHT A VENICE PICKPOCKET IN THE ACT

Will Hide
Mon, November 18, 2024 at 1:00 AM HST
4 min read

588
Writer Will Hide was targeted by a pickpocket in Venice
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info
may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve
the experience.Generate Key Takeaways

It happened the other week on a narrow, crowded street near the Rialto Bridge in
Venice, as I was en route to catch a water bus to the airport. My backpack was
slung on my shoulders, my hands full, when I felt a nudge. Turning halfway, I
saw a well-dressed young woman unnaturally close behind me. A coat draped over
her arm, she smiled and said, “I’m sorry, I bumped you,” in perfect English.

I checked my bag and realised the zip was already halfway down – I’d caught her
just in time. Nothing had been taken, but I still felt annoyed, violated, and
yes, rather stupid, that she’d even had the chance to try.

She seemed to have two accomplices, who melted into the crowd the moment I
noticed them. I then channelled my inner Monica Poli, the Venetian internet
sensation of 2023, famous for her viral “attenzione pickpocket!” videos.

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Raising my voice, I followed the would-be thief – probably a very stupid thing
to do, in hindsight – warning everyone around loudly about her actions. A few
steps later, she stopped, turned around, told me in no uncertain terms to
Foxtrot Oscar and swiped at me with her jacket before ducking into a mini
market. Behind the glass, she glared, unrepentant.

Italy, for all its beauty, has a pickpocketing problem that authorities, locals,
and tourists alike are struggling to manage.


As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Venice is a hotbed for
pickpockets - getty

According to a survey by travel insurance comparison site Quotezone released
earlier this year, Italy is Europe’s pickpocketing capital, ranking above France
and Spain in their assessment. The study analysed visitor reviews of each
country’s top tourist attractions, finding 478 mentions of pickpocketing per
million British visitors to Italy’s top sites—more than any other European
country.

Rome, Milan, and Venice are particularly problematic. In Rome, the Italian
Federation of Public and Tourism Operators recently reported up to 100 daily
incidents of theft, muggings, and pickpocketing in the city centre.

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“Our historic centre’s narrow alleys, canals, and absence of traditional
vehicles create logistical difficulties for law enforcement,” acknowledges
Elisabetta Pesce, a security councillor for the City of Venice.


ALERT, NOT PARANOID

Authorities there are stepping up to the challenge, she counters, with increased
police patrols, plainclothes officers, and awareness campaigns. Vaporetto
boarding areas feature extra surveillance and signage warning visitors about the
risks.

Rome is bracing for its Jubilee Year – a period of forgiveness and spiritual
renewal in the Catholic Church – in 2025, which is expected to draw 35 million
pilgrims to the capital and Vatican City, with peaks at Easter and during summer
school holidays.

“The metro is always risky,” warns Rome-based Agnes Crawford, a tour guide with
more than 20 years’ experience in Italy, “but to be honest, I feel that you’re
more likely to have your phone snatched in London than get pickpocketed here.
It’s like any big city—stay alert, but don’t be paranoid.”

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Pickpockets often work in teams, using distraction as their main weapon: a nudge
in a crowd, a spilled drink, or even the “helpful” stranger offering directions
are classic techniques. Lloyd Figgins, a former police officer, CEO of the TRIP
Group and author of The Travel Survival Guide, advises travellers to make
themselves “hard targets.”

“Keep valuables out of sight and close to your body. Bags should be zipped and
worn across the chest, not on your back or shoulder,” he says. Figgins also
highlights the importance of ‘situational awareness,’ urging tourists to remain
alert, particularly in crowded areas.

“Don’t fall for the classic trap of checking your valuables when you see a sign
warning about pickpockets,” he adds. “It signals exactly where to target, and
sometimes those signs have been put up by criminal gangs anyway.”




AVOID THE CROWDS

In practical terms, for the Colosseum in Rome – a pickpocketing hotspot
according to Quotezone – Crawford suggests bypassing the hoardings of the
“interminable” works opposite the metro station and instead approaching by Via
Labicana or the Arch of Constantine, where space is less congested.

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Similarly, in Venice, she recommends venturing down quieter side streets, away
from tourist throngs. “Mapping apps on phones seem to funnel everyone along the
same busy areas,” she explains. “You’ll not only avoid the crowds but might
discover some charming little shops and cafes along the way.”

Milan, too, sees its fair share of incidents. The bustling Duomo area, with its
mix of selfie-snapping tourists and designer-clad locals, is prime territory for
pickpockets.

Despite my close encounter, Italy’s spot as my favourite European country
remains unaltered. Few places rival the joy of lounging poolside at Capri’s
Villa Brunella, sipping a spritz on Milan’s Terrazza Aperol, skiing down the
Dolomites towards a restorative Bombardino, or an early-morning hike in the
Aeolian Islands.

Next time I’m in La Serenissima, though, I’ll trade in my backpack for a
crossbody bag. Italy’s beauty and elegance will always be worth the occasional
battle of wits with its less-savoury characters.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph
free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive
app, money-saving offers and more.


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