Back to the original list of ways to avoid being targeted....I would add ...(1)leave jewelry at home, especially dangly earrings, necklaces or bracelets, even watches. (2)Carry as little as possible when walking about...do you really need an iPad, a book, a change of clothing, extra shoes, 5 credit cards, a hat, for a 4- hour tour? (3)Keep a bit of cash for the day in a relatively easy place to access ..Inside pocket or crossbody bag. Credit cards, passport, and everything else in under-clothing pouch or money belt.
I've been to Spain, France, Italy --all pickpocket capitals - I've seen pickpockets and, with another chaperone, stopped a pickpocketer from picking one of our students in the gift shop at the Cathedral of Notre Dame (back pocket -after all the lectures!). I've wandered Las Ramblas and even enjoyed the street performances but kept my hand on my crossbody bag which was in front of my body and in front of my under-shirt bag. On a tour in Buenos Aires one member of our tour group, walking in a group of 3 couples to dinner, had a large gold necklace jerked from her neck. When she reflexively reached up to her neck, an accomplice grabbed her handbag and ran.
