It is believed to be the worst for place pickpockets and bag snatchers in the world.
Those on business rarely come upon it (but watch your laptop in hotels and keep it well backed up).
The crime is mainly against foreigners in the tourist areas. (Especially Ramblas, old town, and around the Picasso Museum).
Such activity is not ignored in the business and better class areas of the city so the Catalans are happy.
Quite why the government has not taken decisive action yet - nobody knows.
Wear a Celtic Strip. That should scare them off! :-)
Have a great time! (Last time I was on business in BCN , I did. And stayed).
Tourists are always the favourite prey of pickpockets, which, incidentally, are all from the same countries (two in Northern Africa and one in Eastern Europe). Muggins are very rare, as people who mug would go to prison, whereas pickpockets never go to prison because of stupid laws regarding petty-crime.
The problem exists but it has been exagerated and you should not be paranoyd about it. If you were in BCN in 2008 you will not see much difference, even if the present crisis has worsened somewhat the situation.
Just have common sense and don't let anyone in the street approach you or touch you. We local Catalans are rather introvert and cool towards strangers, so if someone wants something from you in the street, surely he/she is a pickpocket.
By the way, Emgee: in Barcelona we are Catalan, not Hispanic.
Violent crime is very low. I lived there a year, and never was afraid for my life.
However, pickpockets are everywhere, especially the touristy areas. These are mostly not professionals, so basic precautions should keep you safe. Keep your wallet someplace safe (not your back pocket), carry a photocopy of you passport in a safe place, and be aware of your surroundings. Sometimes they work in pairs, with one causing a distraction such as dropping something to back up a line, and another reaching into your pocket from behind.
Enjoy your trip. It won't be bad enough to ruin your fun.
Be cautious.
If you look like you are aware of your surroundings, and take ordinary precautions, you SHOULD be okay...but nothing is guaranteed.
What do you expect? It's full of Hispanics.
I haven't been to Barcelona since 2008 but I'm due to visit in a couple of weeks (business trip) and a number of people have told me that pick pockets and muggings of non-locals has reached epidemic levels.
Should I be worried, and are there any precautions I should take other than the obvious?
