Tourist Hotspots: These Ten Cities Have the Highest Rates of Theft Among Travelers
- by John Doe
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Tourists are most frequently targeted for robberies in these specified urban areas. - Top Ten Cities Frequently Targeted for Tourist Thefts
Whether it's a bustling metropolis or a peaceful town, cities have their unique atmospheres and dangers. Istanbul, with its 15 million inhabitants and millions of visitors annually, for instance, boasts a fairly low crime rate and ranks last on a theoretical theft ranking of the 25 most popular European travel destinations. That's great news as it means that among these 25 top European tourist spots, Istanbul is the safest.
Take a Breath: Mallorca is Safe
In a study conducted by the booking platform Paul Camper, popular cities across Europe were investigated. From Istanbul to Zurich and Palma de Mallorca, including statistics on bag and car thefts. The data was used to determine the likelihood of tourists becoming victims of theft.
On the other end of the spectrum, cities like Milan, particularly around the famous cathedral, present a higher risk of being pickpocketed. With about every 162nd tourist falling victim to theft, Milan police record over 21,500 pickpocketing incidents per year, according to Paul Camper.
Beware in France: Cars Are at Risk
London, the capital of Britain, also appears in a more dangerous light in this context. With one in 367 tourists becoming a victim of theft, places like Westminster and Camden Market are notorious for tourist theft. The island favorites of Mallorca's visitors, on the other hand, can relax as there are only about one in 1600 tourists experiencing theft in Palma.
Tips to Avoid Theft:
- Stay vigilant and keep a safe distance from strangers who try to approach or offer you something.
- Secure your belongings with lockable bags.
- Never leave your belongings unattended, even in coffee shops or on the beach.
- Choose well-lit and guarded parking spots for your vehicle.
- Use anti-theft devices to deter potential thieves.
Concerning car theft, France emerges as the most dangerous country. With a staggering 242 cases per 100,000 residents, France has the highest rate of vehicle thefts. Second place goes to Switzerland with 217 cases, followed closely by Italy with 213 cases.
Source: Paul Camper, Swiss Foreign Ministry Read more Off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe
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More Gallery Pictures:
- Theft
- Ranking
- Istanbul
- Mallorca
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive that includes proposals for reducing theft rates in popular European tourist cities, particularly in Istanbul and Mallorca. Visitors to these cities should be aware that while Istanbul ranks as the safest city among the 25 most popular European travel destinations, Mallorca can still be considered a relatively safe place, with a low rate of theft incidents reported by Paul Camper's study.
