Street Crime in Barcelona

One unfortunate side of life in Barcelona is the amount of bag snatching and pick pocketing. Be particularly conscious of this when you are on the Ramblas or visiting Plaça Reial, as well as all train stations, the airport, or travelling on the metro.

Luckily most crimes are free of violence, but losing a bag, wallet, camera or any other valuable item will hardly make it a holiday to remember for the right reasons.

Tourists make easy targets as they tend to be at least slightly disorientated by the surroundings, language and culture and while I’ve often read that tourists should try to ensure they don’t stand out, that is hardly realistic for many visitors to Barcelona.

However, there are a few sensible precautions to take that will minimise your risk:

• Keep money, passports and valuables out of site – a money belt covered by a shirt is ideal
• Don’t flaunt your valuables – you mark yourself as a worthwhile target
• Keep handbags and other bags close to you and hold it firmly with your arm – even if someone cuts the strap this will make it harder to snatch
• Don’t leave bags hanging from the back of a chair in a restaurant – while you don’t have your eye on it, someone else might
• Wear a backpack on your front in crowded places – that way you can keep an eye on it and prevent anyone from accessing it or slashing it open without you knowing

Thieves often work in gangs; some members provide a diversion, another will actually make the snatch and yet another may be on hand to carry the stolen item from the scene, so be particularly careful if someone approaches you in an unusual circumstance, even if it appears they are trying to help you.

What to do if you fall victim to street crime in Barcelona

If you do fall victim to a crime while in Barcelona, report it immediately to the nearest police station; there you will be issued with a crime number, which you will need for any travel insurance claim. If you lose your passport or need any other kind of assistance you can contact your national consulate general. Below are listed the Consulate General for the major English speaking nations.

United Kingdom
Avda Diagonal 477 – 13
08036 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 933 666 200 (includes 24hr emergency contact details)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 13.30

Ireland
Gran Via Carles III, 94
08028 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 934 915 021

United States
Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23
08034 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 93 280 22 27
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 13.00, except for local and U.S. holidays.

Canada
Elisenda de Pinós, 10
08034 Barcelona
Tel.: (+34) 932 042 700
Office hours: Monday to Friday 10:00am to 1:00pm

Australia
Plaza Gala Placidia, 1-3, 1st floor
08006 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 9349 09013

New Zealand
Travesera de Gracia 64, 2nd Floor
08006 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 932 090 399

Next: Barcelona Golondrinas – a view of the city from the Mediterranean