If tourists are pickpocketed on holiday, they often won’t even notice it’s happened until they get back to their hotel.
Busy public transport stations, tourist attractions and city centres are often areas where pickpockets operate.
While sometimes there’s nothing travellers can do to avoid pickpockets, a tourist on Reddit said there are a few things people can do to reduce the risk.
The tourist ‘FoldedTwice’ said: “Pickpocketing is an opportunistic crime, which happens when it is physically easy for someone to get something out of your bag or pocket and when you’re distracted and won’t notice.
“If either of these conditions isn’t met, there’s no opportunity to pickpocket you. Be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.”
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Tourists can try wearing a flat money belt under their clothing to store their valuables as pickpockets won’t be able to access it.
The tourist added: “A camera hanging around your neck will mark you out as a tourist, and so potentially a mark.
“Lots of other things will mark you out as a tourist, such as the fact that you’re speaking English and going to tourist sites.”
A large camera could attract pickpockets’ attention so it’s best to keep it in a bag if possible.
Speaking English is usually unavoidable but tourists can try to avoid using a GPS system obviously as this may attract attention.
At large and popular tourist attractions, tourists should pay particular attention to their surroundings.
Before going on holiday, tourists can make a photocopy of their passport and leave the actual document in a hotel or accommodation safe.
It’s not a good idea to carry a passport around during the day. Tourists can also leave any other valuables in the hotel safe.
If tourists are taking photos, they should be careful that no one is looking at their passwords over their shoulders when they log in.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
