To determine which cities present the highest risk, the study analysed more than 13,000 Google reviews from travellers worldwide. Reviews were scanned for keywords such as “pickpocket”, “robbery” and “fraud”, allowing the research team to rank destinations from those where visitors most frequently report theft-related incidents to those perceived as safer and more relaxed.
Popular European destinations top pickpocket capitals list
World’s Top 10 Pickpocket Capitals | |||
Rank | City | Country | % of theft related reviews |
1 | Paris | France | 16.5% |
2 | Rome | Italy | 10.7% |
3 | Barcelona | Spain | 5.3% |
4 | Bangkok | Thailand | 4.4% |
=5 | Orlando | USA | 4.3% |
=5 | Istanbul | Turkey | 4.3% |
7 | New York City | USA | 3.5% |
8 | Milan | Italy | 3.0% |
9 | Las Vegas | USA | 2.2% |
10 | Delhi | India | 1.9% |
Paris tops the global pickpocket ranking
Paris was named the pickpocket capital of the world, accounting for 16.5% of all theft-focused reviews over the past year. Tourist-heavy areas such as the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre continue to attract opportunistic criminals, making theft a persistent issue despite the city’s enduring appeal.
Commonly reported scams include the “friendship bracelet” trick, where a bracelet is tied around a tourist’s wrist before payment is demanded, as well as fake charity or petition schemes. Distraction thefts, such as the so-called “dropped ring” scam, also feature prominently in visitor accounts. While Paris remains a global centre for culture and gastronomy, travellers are advised to remain vigilant and secure their belongings.
Rome follows amid rising crime levels
Rome ranked second, with 10.7% of theft-related mentions. The findings reflect broader crime trends, as the city reported a 68% increase in pickpocketing since 2019 and a 23.2% rise in overall crime in 2024. These figures suggest that visitors to the Italian capital should take additional precautions, particularly in crowded historic areas and public transport hubs.
Barcelona placed third with 5.3% of theft-related reviews, followed by Bangkok and Orlando, both of which attract large volumes of international tourists and therefore present more opportunities for petty crime.
Most common types of theft by city
When focusing specifically on pickpocketing, Paris again ranked highest. Nearly 29.8% of all reviews worldwide that included the word “pickpocket” referred to incidents in the French capital. Paris also topped rankings for the terms “scam”, “con”, “theft”, “mugged” and “stolen”, underlining the scale of tourist-targeted crime.
Beyond theft, visitor feedback also highlighted cleanliness concerns. Paris was recently ranked the fifth dirtiest city globally, with 28.2% of cleanliness-related reviews being negative. Despite this, earlier analysis from Radical Storage also identified Paris as the street food capital of the world, illustrating the city’s contrasting strengths and challenges.
Robbery risks and fraud hotspots
Orlando was identified as the robbery capital in the study, with 12.5% of tourism theft reviews referencing visitors being “robbed”. The findings underline that even family-oriented, leisure-focused destinations are not immune to crime, particularly where large crowds create opportunities for offenders. Orlando also ranked fifth in a separate Radical Storage analysis of the world’s most underwhelming tourist cities.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded the highest proportion of fraud-related references, at 7.9%. As both the capital of India and a major gateway for international visitors, Delhi’s dense markets, busy transport hubs and high numbers of first-time travellers contribute to increased reports of overcharging and scam-related incidents.
Safer destinations with lower theft risk
In contrast, destinations in Turkey, China and Vietnam emerged as some of the lowest-risk locations for travellers. Of all theft-related reviews analysed, just 0.1% referred to the top 10 safest destinations, led by Muğla, Shanghai and Hanoi.
World’s Lowest Pickpocket-Risk Cities | ||
City | Country | % of theft related reviews |
Muğla | Turkey | 0.1% |
Shanghai | China | 0.1% |
Hanoi | Vietnam | 0.1% |
Santiago | Chile | 0.1% |
Doha | Qatar | 0.1% |
Warsaw | Poland | 0.1% |
Lima | Peru | 0.1% |
Zurich | Switzerland | 0.1% |
Nice | France | 0.1% |
Heraklion | Greece | 0.1% |
While petty crime can occur anywhere, reviews of these cities consistently describe smooth, stress-free trips, suggesting visitors generally feel secure and protected. The contrast with higher-risk destinations highlights how safety perceptions can significantly influence the overall travel experience.
For travellers arriving in unfamiliar cities and seeking additional peace of mind, Radical Storage highlights the importance of secure luggage solutions. The company operates more than 10,000 locations worldwide, offering an affordable option for tourists to store their belongings safely while exploring urban destinations
Overall, the research underscores that while iconic cities continue to attract millions of visitors, awareness and preparation remain essential. Understanding where theft risks are highest allows travellers to make informed decisions and enjoy their journeys with greater confidence.
Methodology
To identify which cities were most often praised or criticised for safety, the study examined 13,293 theft-related Google reviews published between October 2024 and November 2025. The analysis covered 100 cities from Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index, excluding Russia and Ukraine due to the ongoing full-scale invasion. Reviews were analysed for mentions of theft-related phrases, including pickpocket, robbery, and fraud. Mentions were then categorised based on context, allowing each city to be assigned a percentage representing the proportion of reviews highlighting safety concerns.
Tags: Radical Storage
