The Dish on Tourist Theft: Top 10 Cities to Watch Out For
- by Niels Kruse
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Top Ten Urban Locations Frequently Targeted by Thieves for Tourist Victims - Tourists frequently target these top ten urban locations for thefts.
Traveling can be an exciting experience, but it's essential to know the risks before embarking on your journey. Some cities are friendlier than others, while others are notorious for doubling as hotspots for thieves. For instance, Istanbul, a bustling metropolis filled with 15 million inhabitants and enough visitors to match, maintains a relatively low crime rate. This makes it the safest city out of the 25 most popular European tourist hotspots, according to a theft risk ranking conducted by the accommodation platform Paul Camper.
A Tale of Two Cities: Istanbul vs Milan
The ranking includes statistics on bag and car thefts, among other things. Milan, a renowned city particularly around the famous cathedral, takes the opposite position of Istanbul. With an average of one in 162 tourists becoming victims of pickpockets, the city police report around 21,500 pickpocketing cases annually.
The British Capital and the Island of Mallorca: A Comparative Study in Safety
London, another popular destination, finds itself on the more dangerous side of the spectrum. In Westminster and Camden Market, thieves are notorious. Approximately one in 367 tourists falls prey to theft — a statistic that contrasts starkly with visitors to the German favorite island Mallorca. In Palma, only about one in 1600 tourists becomes a victim of theft.
Five Tips to Guard Against Theft
To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of theft, remember these safety tips:
- Stay vigilant and don't let yourself be approached or given something, as this is often a distraction tactic.
- Use bags with lockable zippers to secure your belongings.
- Never leave bags and valuables unattended, even in cafes or on the beach.
- Opt for well-lit or guarded parking spots when parking your vehicle.
- Use anti-theft devices to deter potential thieves.
When it comes to car theft, France is the riskiest destination. On average, about 242 cars are stolen per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the country with the highest car theft rate. Switzerland and Italy follow closely behind with 217 and 213 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively.
Source: Paul Camper, Swiss Foreign Ministry Read more Eight off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe Autumn hiking destinations in Germany Sketchy destinations in Germany you should visit
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- Theft
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Additional Insights:
While specific data on a theft ranking by "Paul Camper" regarding the top 10 tourist cities where tourists are most frequently robbed is unavailable, there are other cities with high crime rates or specific theft issues that tourists should be aware of, such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nairobi, Kenya, Bangkok, Thailand, Barcelona, Spain, Cairo, Egypt, Mexico City, Mexico, São Paulo, Brazil, Lagos, Nigeria, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Lima, Peru.
- The Commission, with its expertise, has also been consulted on the draft directive that aims to provide recommendations for safe travel, considering the high rates of theft reported in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Bangkok, and others.
- Despite Istanbul's appeal as a popular European tourist destination, it's worth considering a change in lifestyle for a while, as some less-traveled destinations like Mallorca offer a lower risk of theft, making them more attractive for a worry-free vacation.
