petty crime in rome
part 2

how to avoid thieves
and pickpockets in rome

If you carry a bag with a shoulder strap on the streets of Rome, beware of thieves on scooters coming up behind you and snatching or cutting the strap. Wear the bag on the side away from the road, and unless you want to show off the Chanel buckle, wear it flap inwards and put the strap over your head. Of course, you’ll look even more like a tourist like this, so the trick is not to carry too many valuables with you anyway, or learn to look more like a native of Rome and less like a tourist. It’s a bit of a balancing act between common sense and street-hipness really.

You must also be especially careful of your bag around the main Rome railway station (Termini). If you have left any baggage in the station left-luggage office and the bag you have retained with you is stolen with the ticket inside, return immediately to the left-luggage office (before the thieves do) and report it, before reporting to the police or the Consulate. Otherwise you will be left in Rome with nothing but the clothes you stand up in.

If you put down your bag and your attention is distracted, even for a moment, your bag will quickly disappear.

On a crowded bus, if a group of gypsies and/or gypsy children get on, keep a hand on your purse.

At the beach, don’t leave your bag unattended while you swim. Don’t leave your luggage or valuables in a parked car.

The Italian police are the first point of contact for reporting the loss or theft of documents, property or money. They will give you a multi-language form called a ‘denuncia’ to complete. They will then stamp it and give you a copy, which you will have to show to the Consular section of the Embassy if you need a new passport. Your insurance company will need to see the copy if you are making a claim to them.

Any thefts which happen in or around the main railway station (Termini) or on a train arriving at Termini, should be reported to the Railway Police (Polizia Ferroviaria) at the station. Otherwise reports from foreigners will normally only be accepted by the Foreigner’s Branch of the main Police station (Ufficio Stranieri della Questura di Roma), Via Genova. (off Via Nazionale). Telephone 46861 and ask for the
Ufficio Stranieri - Denuncie). Outside Rome you should contact the nearest police station (Commissariato di Polizia) for help or information, though naturally it is not always possible to find an English speaking police officer.

when taking a taxi...

...especially from the airport or the station, make sure it is an official cab, white (sometimes yellow, the older colour) taxi with a light on top, and a large yellow 'Comune di Roma' shield-shaped sticker on the doors. The taxi fare is indicated on the meter but can be increased by supplements for night fares or luggage. In case of a dispute over the fare write down the number of the taxi, the pickup and drop-off location and the route taken (if you can figure this out!). This should then be taken or sent to the Rome Tourist Board (Ente Provinciale per il Turismo di Roma, Via Parigi 11, 00185, Roma, tel. 488 1851)

You may be approached on arrival at the airport and train station by people fraudulently claiming to be employees of the Rome Tourist Board who offer to help you find a hotel. Do not trust them.

This information is by no means exhaustive, and hopefully you won't have cause to need it, but you have been warned...

...previous page on crime in rome

...and click here to read
Real-Life scam stories
from tourist victims
of crime in Rome