In a recent release by UK-based travel insurance company Quotezone, the European Pickpocket Index sheds light on countries with the highest incidences of tourist theft, offering insights into popular destinations and their notorious pickpocket hotspots.
Researchers, as reported by USA TODAY, meticulously scrutinised reports of "pickpocketing" or "theft" on review sites from travellers across Europe, juxtaposed against visitor numbers to each country. Additionally, they identified key tourist hubs within these destinations, such as Rome's Pantheon and Colosseum, and Milan's Duomo di Milano, to pinpoint areas where pickpockets are most prevalent.
Listed below are the European countries with the highest reports of pickpocket incidents per million visitors as of April 2024, along with the primary tourist spots plagued by pickpocket activity (listed in reverse order):
10. Ireland - 7 reports per million visitors; worst area: Guinness Storehouse
9. Poland - 18 reports per million visitors; worst area: Rynek Glowny Central Square in Krakow
8. Greece - 19 reports per million visitors; worst area: Acropolis Museum (Athens)
7. Turkey - 21 reports per million visitors; worst area: Sultanahmet area
6. Portugal - 58 reports per million visitors; worst area: Alfama
5. Netherlands - 100 reports per million visitors; worst area: Red Light District
4. Germany - 111 reports per million visitors; worst region: the Brandenburg Gate
3. Spain - 111 reports per million visitors; worst area: Las Ramblas
2. France - 251 reports per million visitors; worst area: Eiffel Tower
1. Italy - 478 reports per million visitors; worst area: Trevi Fountain
(Source: Tornos News)
