Barcelona’s pickpockets how to avoid them

Some of the tricks used by Barcelona city’s pickpockets and basic security tips to minimise the risk of being robbed

The screen

• No fewer than two thieves are involved. • They look for someone carrying a rucksack on their back at the entrance to a metro station. • The two thieves get into position, in line behind their target. • The second of them raises their jacket, as if they were putting it on or taking it off, to block the view of other passers-by. • The first one, between the victim and the screen, takes advantage of this cover to put their hand into the victim’s bag, discretely, to steal any valuable objects.

The bicycle snatch

• The thief, on a bicycle, positions themselves on a road where they can flee at high speed. • They look for a victim speaking on, or otherwise using, their mobile phone at the edge of the pavement, or somewhere else they can pass at speed. •The thief sets off, riding past their victim as close as possible and snatching their phone without slowing down. • They accelerate and flee at full speed, often along a route they are already familiar with.

Fake police officers

1. Trust

• The thieves pick one or more tourists as targets, normally in quiet streets where the shops are already closed or closing.

2. Example

• The decoys happily hand over their wallets and bags to the fake police officers, winning the trust of the mark.

3. Emptying

• Whilst pretending to check the ID and personal effects, the thieves steal everything they can.

The fake friend

• One or more thieves hang around a spot that is popular with visitors.

The 'under-paper'

• A thief, or a pair of them, finds a target tourist or group sat on the terrace of some bar and with their phones on the table.

The distraction

• A pair or a group of thieves spot one or more distracted tourists sitting on a bench, with a bag or some other item which they’re not watching closely.

The shop thief

•One or more well-dressed thieves go into a busy shop or franchise of a large chain posing as shoppers.

Security advice

Thieves wait for people to become distracted, so stay vigilant, especially when it seems someone is trying to distract you.

If you are carrying a wallet or valuable items in your rucksack, it’s best to wear it on your front where you can see it, not on your back.

Wallets should be carried in your front trouser pocket, rather than in the hip pocket.

Bags should be worn over your chest so that the bag is on the side furthest from the road.

If you are robbed...

Report itAs soon as you discover the crime: whether it’s just happened, or it took place hours or days ago.

WhereYou can report it to any police station or at your hotel. There is an agreement between the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) and the Hotels Union.

If you report it...The police will be able to investigate and this will make any insurance claim easier.

WitnessesIf someone witnessed what happened, ask for their telephone number so the police can get in touch with them.

TargetesRecorda que has d'anul·lar les targetes de crèdit tan ràpid com puguis.

Illustrations: Ricard Marfà