Worst European country for pickpockets named - and it's a Mediterranean hotspot

Close up shot of female thief trying to steal a smartphone while customer is looking at clothes in a store - Criminal lifestyles
Tourists have been warned to take care -Credit:Hispanolistic


The beautiful holiday hotspot that's a haven for pickpockets - and Brits seeking the sun.

While tourists often find themselves targeted by thieves, certain European destinations are notorious for pickpocketing incidents. The travel experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed the top European country where pickpockets are most prevalent.

Italy has been identified as the European country where British tourists are at the highest risk of being pickpocketed, reports the Express. Rome's Trevi Fountain is particularly notorious, with over 470 Tripadvisor reviews mentioning 'pickpockets'.

Despite its allure, attracting thousands of visitors daily, tourists should remain vigilant around the famed fountain.

France follows Italy as the second-worst destination for pickpockets, with Paris' Eiffel Tower being a prime spot for such thefts. The French capital, set to be the centre of attention this summer during the Summer Olympics, has already increased its tourist tax.

Despite Barcelona's notorious reputation for pickpockets, Spain only ranked as the third worst destination for thefts, with Las Ramblas being the hotspot for such encounters.

Italy, Lazio (Latium), Roma (Rome) . Trevi fountain.
The Trevi fountain has been singled out as a pickpocket hotspot -Credit:Atlantide Phototravel

Tiffany Mealiff, a spokesperson for Quotezone.co.uk, commented: "European cities are famously popular tourist destinations for sightseeing, with the recent surge in holidaymakers expected to continue throughout 2024, unfortunately this also makes them some of the danger zones for pickpocketing."

She added: "With many people starting to plan out the details for their summer holidays, we are warning holidaymakers to be aware of the potential hazards that come with travelling to these tourist hotspots."

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.