In recent years, the surge in tourism across Europe has turned many popular destinations into a paradise for pickpockets.
One internet user summarized the "four major pickpocket capitals" of Europe as: Paris, Rome, Milan, and Barcelona—“in no particular order, thieves are extremely alert and always target where there are more Asian tourists.”
According to a safety report published by Censis, the overall crime rate in central Rome has increased by 23.2% over the past five years.
Robbery and pickpocketing cases have seen particularly sharp increases. In 2024, there were over 2,000 reported robberies in Rome—a 51.3% rise compared to 2019. Pickpocketing incidents surged to 33,455 cases in 2024, marking a 68.0% increase.
To break it down, that’s nearly 100 reported pickpocketing cases every single day in Rome alone. And that’s just the official number—many petty thefts likely go unreported.
In terms of crime rate per capita, Milan tops the list of Italian cities, with 69.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, followed by Florence and Rome in second and third place, respectively.
For comparison, China’s official data from 2021 shows 339 criminal cases per 100,000 people—equivalent to just 3.39 per 1,000.
Once upon a time, Europe represented a peaceful and idyllic dream—a first destination for many Chinese travelers looking to explore the world.
But now, when you search "Europe travel" on Chinese social platforms like Xiaohongshu, you're more likely to find anti-theft guides than travel itineraries.
What’s even more ironic is that European pickpockets are making not only Chinese tourists anxious, but even local Europeans suffer from a kind of PTSD. Some European travelers visiting China instinctively clutch their bags tightly—still haunted by their experiences at home.
But in reality, the way China treats foreign tourists is a world apart from how Chinese tourists are treated in Europe.
For instance, just a few days ago, a Canadian tourist in Guangzhou was charged over RMB 1,000 (USD 139) for a taxi ride from Baiyun Airport to Zengcheng.
Before the case even reached the police, the tourist contacted the taxi company through the government hotline. Within two days, the vehicle and driver involved were identified, and a full refund was issued.
Industry insiders have warned that with Europe’s current police staffing levels, it’s almost impossible to deal with the rising tide of theft and petty crime. Especially this summer, Chinese tourists traveling to Europe are advised not only to take theft precautions—but also not to flaunt wealth. Otherwise, you might just become part of a pickpocket’s summer performance review.
