After the COVID-19 alert was lifted, there was a global travel wave, and European countries were among the popular options. However, the pickpocketing problem in some tourist attractions still worries tourists. According to statistics, Italy, France, and the Netherlands are the top three countries with the highest pickpocketing index.
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Taipei, TAIWAN (Merxwire) – After the COVID-19 epidemic was lifted, there has been a wave of travel worldwide, and European countries are also popular destinations. They have beautiful scenery and many historical sites to visit. They are also fashion and cultural capitals. However, the problem of rampant thieves in some tourist attractions still worries tourists, and they usually have to take adequate precautions before they dare to travel.
In which countries should we pay special attention to the problem of thieves? Quotezone.co.uk, a British insurance price comparison website, compiled the latest European Pickpocketing Index based on the comments shared by travelers among the top five popular tourist attractions in European countries on Tripadvisor, a well-known international travel review website. This ranking lets you know which countries or attractions have the most thieves and with Italy ranked at the top.
The top three countries are Italy, France, and the Netherlands. Therefore, tourists who yearn for Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam should pay attention to their belongings. The spots with the most pickpockets in Italy are the famous Baroque Trevi Fountain in Rome, Colosseum, Pantheon, Duomo di Milano, and Gallerie Degli Uffizi in Florence. The sites had 1,906 UK tourists sharing stolen reviews.
The top five tourist spots with the most pickpockets in France are all in Paris, and the survey data shows that 283 people have their belongings stolen per million tourists. The must-visit landmark Eiffel Tower is the place where pickpockets are most likely to be encountered. Due to a large number of tourists here, thieves can hide in the crowd and are not easy to be found. In the Netherlands, you have to pay attention to the areas near the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, including the crowded subway stations around these museums.
From 4th to 10th in the pickpocketing index rankings are Germany, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Ireland, and Poland. Barcelona in Spain which everyone thinks is the most arrogant thief ranks 6th in the ranking, and its number of comments is one-fifth of that of Italy. Therefore, everyone must be very careful when visiting famous scenic spots in Italy, and don’t take it lightly when visiting the top ten countries and scenic spots.
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Is the theft rate in Europe that bad? According to UNODC statistics, in the past 20 years, the proportion of theft in Europe is twice that of Taiwan. Between 2003 and 2020, the average number of theft crimes per 100,000 people in Europe was 1,306.88, and in Taiwan, it was 651.89. Looking at the recent 10 years, comparing the statistical data from 2011 to 2020, the gap is as high as 5 times. The average stealing ratio in Europe is 1,274.72 per 100,000 people, while in Taiwan it is 289.72. This shows that the stealing ratio in Europe is much higher than in Taiwan.
Greg Wilson, the CEO of the website that compiled the statistical data, reminded everyone that you must always pay attention to your belongings when you go to Europe, especially in crowded tourist attractions. Some insurance companies may refuse to settle the claim if their belongings are stolen due to their negligence. Important money and documents can be placed in zippered bags, waist bags, inner pockets, or hotel safes depending on the frequency of use and needs. Only by making safety preparations in advance can you enjoy the journey and play with peace of mind.