Francotopia

Paris has been in the news lately for something rather negative and that negative thing is pickpockets. Something that most tourists don’t really think about. Just saying the work pickpocket immediately conjures up a picture of Victorian Era street urchins in a Dickens novel. But unfortunately, pickpockets are not cute fictional characters. They’re an unfortunate reality of modern day travel in Paris.

They’re everywhere and if you aren’t careful, you’ll lose something valuable.

Don’t Become a Diversion

We were pick pocketed on our first trip to Paris. On the metro a man inexplicably started dropping money on my wife’s head and in the confusion that ensued, several pickpockets proceeded to pick all our pockets and then run off at the next Metro stopped (they had this timed perfectly). Thankfully they didn’t get away with anything because we caught them in the act.

Don’t Let a Suit & Tie fool You

Pickpockets these days don’t actually look like pickpockets, they look like everyone else. The men that tried to steal from us were actually dressed as businessmen and if they hadn’t tried to work their magic on us, we wouldn’t have paid them any notice.

Watch out for Children

As soon as you walk off the train in Paris, you’ll be surrounded and hassled by young children begging (often they are of Romanian Gypsy extraction). They look pathetic. It’s an act. Don’t fall for it. Just keep walking and ignore them and keep your valuables close.

Don’t carry all your Cash with You

It’s never a good idea to carry all your money or travelers cheques on your person. A pickpocket can easily steal your entire trip’s worth of spending money. Our suggestion is to carry enough money with you for the day and leave the rest of your money back in the hotel (in a safe or locked in your bag, hidden). It’s also a good idea to just get cash when you need it from ATM’s rather than carrying everything with you. It’s also a good idea to split your cash into several pockets (and maybe stash a 10 Euro note in your shoes) so that if you are pick pocketed they can’t get all your money.

Use a Money Belt

These things are annoying and you feel funny wearing them. But they work. No one is going to stick their hands down the front of your pants! We don’t recommend the kind you wear around your neck, they can easily be ripped off your neck and identify you as a tourist.

Open Pockets are Open Invitations

The most effective way for pickpockets to steal from is in large crowds where you don’t notice people bumping into you. What you don’t realize is that while they’re bumping into you, their hands are in your pockets. I recommend wearing clothing with pockets that seal shut, with velcro, buttons, etc. That way you’ll know if someone tries to get into your pocket.

Watch out for Public Notices

If pickpockets have been heavily reported in a particular area, keep an eye out for signs indicating this. This will help you be on extra guard.

Don’t hesitate to report to the police

If you do get robbed, do not hesitate to report them to the police. You’re unlikely to get your belongings back or catch the theif, but it lets the police know where pickpockets are operating so they can step up prevention.

Consider Carrying a Smaller Camera

Walking around Paris with a giant SLR camera swinging around your neck is an open invitation to theives. They’ll not only try to steal your camera when you’re not watching but carrying such a valuable object visibly makes you stand out as someone worth robbing.

Avoid Large Crowds

Pickpockets often work in teams and they love large crowds because people are often oblivious to people bumping into them, even when they’re waiting in line for something. Large crowds are a manget for pickpockets. If you have to go into a large crowd, keep your hands in your pockets.

Watch your Purse

Ladies, always keep an eye on your purse. Don’t hang it on the back of your chair in a restaurant – keep it between your legs. Make sure it has a zipper, preferably a loud one.

Watch your Smartphone

Smartphones are a popular accessory to travel with. They’re also worth a lot of money and it’s easy for a thief to flip it quickly for cash. Keep your phone secure. Also make sure it has a passcode lock so no one can get into the phone. If you have an iPhone, be sure to turn on the ‘Find my iPhone’ function so that you can remotely wipe the phone. Your phone is a treasure trove of valuable personal information.

Make a Scene

If you are picketpocketed, yell the word “STOP” in French which is “Arrête!” Make a scene, this creates witnesses but will also scare off a gang of pickpockets working together.

Don’t let this discourage you from traveling in Paris. Pickpockets only prey on tourists because they’re an easy mark. They do this in every major city, not just Paris. Don’t be an easy mark. Blend in. Don’t carry all your valuables with you and don’t be an open invitation for thieves.