I am thinking of taking a small back pack to carry sundry items such as rain jackets, pullovers etc for our day trips in Italy. Are these safe in cities such as Venice and Rome or are they a target for pick pockets in crowded areas when you can not see what is happening behind you?

I am also taking a small backpack. My daughter bought small little locks that go between the zippers(it keeps it from being opened) and she added a little bell. At least if someone is trying to get in we will hear them, hopefully! It is also difficult to open these small locks quickly. Easy if I need to do it, but maybe not someone else. This will hold things that I feel are necesary but not valuable.Lynne

I think the important thing is not to put anything irreplaceable in something that hangs behind you. You're most vulnerable in places where there's lots of coming and going: crowded buses, popular piazzas, anywhere full of confused people (places where, if you were a pickpocket, you might expect to have the likeliest targets).

Hi Monty,

We have carried backpacks around much of Europe including the cities you mention and never had a problem. You certain;y need something to carry clothing etc in. If it is any help we always use a simple lock on the zips. It takes 2 largish metal rings (curtain rings or key rings) per zip. Get a pair of pliers and bend one end of one of the rings out to make it really easy to interconnect the two rings. It takes a few seconds to connect or disconnect once you get used to it, and you don't need to find a key for a lock. We reason that a pick pocket is not going to have the time to work out what you've done, and will look for easier pickings. It is always possible to slit the side of a bag with a knife, but we've never heard of that having been done to a pack. Certainly has with leather purses and handbags though.

I've just taken a photo of one of our bags - I hope it helps.

Cheers, Graham

I had my camera stolen from my backpack in Rome last September. Never knew it had happened until I got back to the hotel late in the day.

I had not taken some of the precautions I used to take....putting my back pack on my front instead of my back on the bus or subway.... putting locks on the zippers so they always "look locked" from a distance.... weaving the zipper pulls together to slow down any miscreant.

I have also heard of people who had the bottom of the backpack slashed and wallets taken out that way.

I'm not trying to scare you.....You should not be scared! But you should be very cautious. It wasn't until my eighth trip to Italy, when I was less cautious, that I had my first pickpocket experience. (I had another on my ninth trip...my camera)

My advice is to take what you need. Be very wary on subways and busses particularly #64 in Rome. Keep your main money and ID papers in something under your clothes. Keep out only what you plan to spend that day. If you need more, go in a restroom (all the bars are required to have public access restrooms) and get the extra.

Pickpockets are not out to hurt you. They are thieves looking for an opportunity. Try not to give them the opportunity and limit what they will get if they try you.

Bill

Graham

What a great idea with the curtain rings- complete with DIY photo.

We won't have any valuables in the small pack. It is the inconvenience of losing anything.

Pity you can't patent the ring idea.

Hi Monty,

I certainly don't claim the ring idea as original although I can't remember where the suggestion came frm as we have used this idea for at least the last 4 years but have modified the rings slightly to make them easy to use.

I do agree with the suggestions others have made. Travel is to enjoy, so don't be scared or afraid as the incidence of pickpocketting is not high, however one needs to keep aware of one's surroundings and be careful in crowds. I make a point of scanning people around me and if I see someone hanging around aimlessly or what I consider suspiciously, then I always make sure they are aware that I am watching them by making eye contact, and longer than casual eye contact at that.

Have fun, keep aware of what is going on around you and you'll be fine.

Cheers, Graham