Breaking As Italy Joins France, Spain, Greece, Germany, And The Netherlands In Surging Crime Rate In Europe, Therefore Tourists Should Remain Beware: What You Need To Know

Published on October 29, 2025

European cities for illustration Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and Naples are known for their beautiful architecture, rich | culture, and humanities landmarks. However, they besides person a estimation for high crime rates, peculiarly successful areas frequented by tourists. In 2024, pickpocketing and different petty thefts are connected nan rise, pinch Rome and Barcelona topping nan database of astir affected cities. London and Paris proceed to struggle pinch increased theft rates, peculiarly astir tourist hotspots. Berlin and Marseille person besides seen a emergence successful violent crimes, including robberies. Athens and Naples stay dangerous owed to organized crime syndicates targeting tourists. While Berlin and Amsterdam connection singular sightseeing, they are notorious for street crimes, often related to tourism. Greece and Italy spot precocious numbers of mobile telephone thefts. The 2024 crime index shows a worrying inclination successful awesome European cities, urging visitors to stay vigilant. Despite their allure, these cities require accrued precautions erstwhile visiting. Staying cautious successful high-crime areas is basal to bask their beauty without falling unfortunate to criminal activity. Always beryllium alert of your surroundings, particularly successful crowded locations.

Why theft statistic matter

Pick‑pocketing and container snatching are nan astir communal crimes affecting visitors because they are easy to perpetrate successful crowded attractions and usually spell unreported. To gauge consequence levels crossed countries, UK security institution Quotezone analysed millions of online reviews from British travellers and produced a European Pickpocketing Index 2024. It counted mentions of pick‑pocketing per cardinal visitors for apical attractions successful 10 countries[1]. Italy topped nan scale pinch 478 mentions per cardinal visitors, followed by France (251), Spain and Germany (both 111), and nan Netherlands (100)[2][1]. The array beneath summarises nan scale (numbers mention to nan number of pick‑pocketing mentions per cardinal British visitors successful 2024):

These figures bespeak really often travellers study theft experiences, but they do not measurement nan full number of crimes. Police statistic and news reports from 2024 thief place circumstantial cities that harvester beauty pinch higher risks.

Cities pinch precocious tourer entreaty but notable crime risks

Rome & Milan, Italy

Italy remains a apical recreation destination, yet 2024 statistic uncover superior theft problems. A Censis information study recovered that crime successful cardinal Rome roseate by 23.2 % complete 5 years; reported robberies exceeded 2,000 cases successful 2024—a 51.3 % summation compared pinch 2019[3]. Pick‑pocketing surged dramatically: authorities recorded 33,455 incidents successful 2024, averaging astir 100 incidents per day[3]. Because galore petty thefts spell unreported, nan existent number is apt overmuch higher[4]. In Milan, nan country’s financial hub, 69.7 crimes per 1,000 residents were recorded successful 2024, making it Italy’s metropolis pinch nan highest crime rate[5]. Rome and Milan are afloat of treasures—ancient ruins, cathedrals, creation museums and designer shopping—but travellers should beryllium alert of precocious theft rates and watch valuables closely.

Hotspots: In Rome, nan Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and Pantheon pull immense crowds and were among nan astir often mentioned locations for pick‑pocketing[6]. Visitors should beryllium cautious connected nationalist carrier and astir Termini train station. Milan’s Duomo Cathedral and surrounding shopping streets besides tie pick‑pocketing gangs[6].

Why it’s still worthy visiting: Despite these risks, Rome and Milan stay taste powerhouses. Travellers tin trim their chances of theft by utilizing anti‑theft bags, keeping wallets retired of backmost pockets and avoiding distractions specified arsenic thoroughfare performances.

Paris, France

Paris’s romanticist boulevards hide an undercurrent of petty crime. According to Travel And Tour World, nan French superior logged over 35,000 theft‑related incidents successful 2024, chiefly involving pick‑pocketing and container snatching[7]. Paris accounted for astir of France’s 251 pick‑pocketing mentions per cardinal visitors successful nan Quotezone index[8]. Hotspots see nan Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre‑Dame Cathedral, Louvre and Musée d’Orsay[6]. During nan run‑up to nan 2024 Olympics, recreation advisories urged heightened vigilance because ample crowds springiness thieves much opportunities[9].

Why travellers should return care: Pick‑pockets run successful crowded metro lines, astatine awesome attractions and astir engaged shopping streets for illustration nan Champs‑Élysées. Visitors should usage cross‑body bags, support phones retired of reach, and beryllium sceptical of “friendship bracelet” aliases petition scams adjacent tourer sites.

London, United Kingdom

London offers world‑famous museums, theatres and markets, but recorded thefts person spiked. The UK Crime Survey estimated that 78,000 people had mobile phones aliases bags snatched successful nan twelvemonth ending March 2024—a 153 % summation compared pinch nan erstwhile year[10]. London is nan epicentre: nan Metropolitan Police accounted for 64,244 of these thefts (over three‑quarters of nan nationalist total)[10]. A House of Commons statement battalion weighted stolen phones successful London astatine £50 million successful 2024[10]. TimeOut reports that nan Underground saw astir 11,000 mobile‑phone thefts successful 2024, pinch nan Victoria Line suffering 2,034 specified incidents[11]. Travel And Tour World notes that London knowledgeable astir 80,000 mobile‑phone thefts successful 2024, peculiarly successful crowded districts for illustration Westminster and Camden[12].

Hotspots: Tube stations, engaged markets (Camden, Portobello Road), and tourer zones astir nan Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Travellers should debar displaying phones connected transit and support bags zipped.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is celebrated for Gaudí’s architecture and Mediterranean beaches, but theft is pervasive. The city’s interior ministry reported that Barcelona recorded 5 % less thefts and 8 % less convulsive robberies during nan first half of 2024 compared pinch nan aforesaid play in 2023, yet theft still accounted for six retired of 10 crimes[13]. About 40 % of thefts occurred connected nan streets, 30 % successful commercialized establishments and 24 % connected nationalist transport[13]. Violent robberies mostly progressive 1 aliases 2 perpetrators and seldom weapons[13]. These figures show that moreover pinch a mini decline, theft remains a awesome issue.

Hotspots: Las Ramblas, La Boqueria market, Barcelona Metro lines and nan Sagrada Familia are communal places wherever pick‑pockets target distracted tourists. Barcelona tied pinch Berlin for 3rd spot successful Quotezone’s pick‑pocketing scale (111 mentions per cardinal visitors)[14].

Berlin, Germany

Germany classed 3rd successful nan pick‑pocketing scale pinch 111 mentions per cardinal visitors[14], and Berlin hosts respective of its worst hotspots. Berlin’s constabulary recorded 539,049 offences successful 2024, aliases astir 1,500 offences per day, an summation of 0.4 % from 2023[15]. Pick‑pockets often run astir nan Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, East Side Gallery, Holocaust Memorial and Munich’s Marienplatz[16]. Most thefts are non‑violent but tin ruin a holiday. Visitors should support bags closed, debar carrying passports successful pockets and enactment alert connected nationalist transit.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Netherlands earned 100 mentions per cardinal visitors successful nan pick‑pocketing index[14]. Amsterdam, pinch its canals and museums, accounts for astir of these. Euronews notes that nan Red Light District is nan worst pick‑pocketing spot, followed by nan Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum[17]. Petty thieves thrive amid nan crowded nightlife. While charismatic 2024 crime statistic are limited, travellers are advised to stay vigilant successful engaged tourer areas and connected trams.

Marseille, France

Marseille’s Mediterranean mounting and historical larboard tie visitors, yet nan metropolis struggles pinch pack unit and theft. Travel And Tour World warns that Marseille faces “high crime rates,” including drug trafficking, convulsive assaults, pick‑pocketing and shoplifting, particularly astir nan Old Port[18]. The French authorities has accrued constabulary presence, but precocious poorness and organised crime mean that travellers should debar poorly lit neighbourhoods astatine night. The AXA Travel Insurance study likewise highlighted organised crime and petty theft successful Marseille’s bluish districts[19].

Naples, Italy

Naples is celebrated for its pizzas and bay views, but it is besides known for organised crime. Travel And Tour World describes Naples arsenic Italy’s crime capital, noting that nan metropolis has 1 of nan highest crime rates successful nan country[20]. Robberies, burglaries and conveyance thefts are widespread, and nan beingness of nan Camorra mafia contributes to extortion and thoroughfare crime[20]. Tourists are peculiarly susceptible astir nan metropolis centre and train station, wherever pick‑pocketing and container snatching are common[21].

Athens, Greece

Athens’ ancient landmarks and bustling squares pull millions, but pick‑pocketing is nan astir important threat. The Travelling Jezebel blog (updated February 2024) states that pick‑pocketing occurs astatine awesome tourer sites for illustration nan Acropolis, Monastiraki Square and connected nan metro[22]. The tract warns travellers to beryllium cautious connected nan airdrome metro statement and to debar friends strangers offering “help” astir nan Roman Agora[22]. Certain neighbourhoods—Vathi Square, Viktoria Square, Omonia and Exarchia—have higher crime rates and should beryllium avoided astatine night[23].

London’s different UK counterparts: Glasgow and Birmingham

Travel And Tour World highlights Glasgow arsenic Scotland’s crime hotspot successful 2024. The metropolis is vibrant but experiences precocious levels of theft, shoplifting, car theft and pick‑pocketing, peculiarly connected engaged shopping streets for illustration Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street[24]. While elaborate statistic for 2024 are scarce, nan study notes that these crimes, on pinch rising convulsive incidents, make Glasgow 1 of Europe’s concerning cities for safety[25]. Birmingham (England), celebrated for its business heritage, faces problems pinch pack unit and drug‑related crime. AXA’s 2025 recreation guideline recommends avoiding definite neighbourhoods (Aston and Handsworth) and exercising be aware astatine night[26]. Although not strictly wrong 2024, these warnings stay applicable owed to persistent crime levels.

Sofia, Bulgaria & Riga, Latvia

Travel And Tour World points retired that theft accounts for complete 60 % of criminal activity successful Sofia[27]. Petty crimes specified arsenic pick‑pocketing, car break‑ins and location burglaries are common; corruption wrong section authorities hampers effective policing, and visitors are susceptible to scams connected Vitosha Boulevard[28]. In Riga, Latvia, authorities recorded an summation successful theft‑related crimes successful caller years, pinch crowded tourer attractions and nationalist transport identified arsenic premier targets[29]. Despite authorities efforts, rising theft and convulsive crime person tarnished Riga’s image arsenic a safe destination[30].

Tips for safe travel

1. Stay alert of your surroundings. Pick‑pockets often usage distraction techniques (street performances, spills, clone petitions). Remain alert successful crowded areas and debar wearing headphones.
2. Use anti‑theft gear. Cross‑body bags pinch zippers, money belts, and hidden pockets trim vulnerability. Keep wallets and phones successful beforehand pockets aliases unafraid bags.
3. Avoid displaying wealth. Flashy jewellery, ample cameras and exposed rate pull thieves. Carry only basal rate and usage in installments cards erstwhile possible.
4. Be observant connected nationalist transport. Many cities study that thefts hap connected buses, metros and trams (Barcelona’s nationalist carrier accounted for 24 % of thefts[13]). Keep bags connected your thigh and beryllium alert of group opinionated very close.
5. Research section information advisories. Check authorities recreation advisories and section constabulary websites for up‑to‑date information. Some cities people crime maps showing high‑risk neighbourhoods.
6. Report thefts. If you go a victim, study nan crime immediately. Accurate reporting helps authorities allocate resources to high‑risk areas[31].

Europe’s taste capitals stay bonzer places to visit, but 2024 information show that petty crime is simply a persistent problem. Cities specified arsenic Rome, Paris, London, Barcelona and Berlin harvester world‑class sights pinch precocious rates of theft. Other destinations—Milan, Marseille, Naples, Athens, Glasgow, Sofia and Riga—also recorded notable crime levels. Understanding wherever and really theft occurs allows travellers to return precautions and bask these beautiful cities safely.