What do you think could and should be done to improve the safety situation in Barcelona?
- should the fines for thefts be increased?
- lower the minimum amount of valuables stolen until a theft has serious consequences?
- should convicted serial-thefs be allowed to be in the city or specific hotspots?
- … what else?
What can be done to stop the thieves?
- First of all vigilance needs to be taken.
- Secondly the police needs all the support it can get meaning that the reports needs to be made otherwise the police has their hands tight.
- Thirdly the law needs to be changed so that pickpockets are not released after every arrest. There must be a limit to the times that somebody has been caught and they need to be retained. My understanding is that there is no limit to the times you get caught. A fine of 30-40Euros is completely insufficient and doesn’t hurt anybody! (Please correct me if I am wrong)
- Fourthly the amount of EUR400, the amount when serious action is taken, needs to be reduced and every theft needs serious consequences.
- The metro station security needs more rights and the police needs to be at the place of the incident faster.
- Most importantly the witnesses MUST NOT look away but react and help!!! – Disinterest is the thiefs breeding ground!!!
- Raise your voices, watch, react and report. Something has to happen.
Safety Measures
The best way to protect yourself from pickpockets is to not give them a chance!
1. Don’t bring valuables when you go to Barcelona
2. Always have a handbag with the zipper closed
3. Lock/tie your bag to your chair when you are in a bar/restaurant/public place
4. Don’t let people help you enter the train by lifting your suitcases. This is only a distraction to pick your pockets
5. Lock/tie everything you have to yourself
6. Be suspicious
7. When somebody entered the metro with you and just leaves before the door closes again, check your bags and if necessary jam the door from closing so security comes.
8. Don’t travel alone and have somebody watch you.
9. Most important if you see a pickpocket, an incident or fall victim you have to report it!!! Otherwise the police cannot do anything!
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Recommendations for change
What do you think could and should be done to improve the safety situation in Barcelona?
- should the fines for thefts be increased?
- lower the minimum amount of valuables stolen until a theft has serious consequences?
- should convicted serial-thefs be allowed to be in the city or specific hotspots?
- … what else?
What can be done to stop the thieves?
- First of all vigilance needs to be taken.
- Secondly the police needs all the support it can get meaning that the reports needs to be made otherwise the police has their hands tight.
- Thirdly the law needs to be changed so that pickpockets are not released after every arrest. There must be a limit to the times that somebody has been caught and they need to be retained. My understanding is that there is no limit to the times you get caught. A fine of 30-40Euros is completely insufficient and doesn’t hurt anybody! (Please correct me if I am wrong)
- Fourthly the amount of EUR400, the amount when serious action is taken, needs to be reduced and every theft needs serious consequences.
- The metro station security needs more rights and the police needs to be at the place of the incident faster.
- Most importantly the witnesses MUST NOT look away but react and help!!! – Disinterest is the thiefs breeding ground!!!
- Raise your voices, watch, react and report. Something has to happen.
Safety Measures
The best way to protect yourself from pickpockets is to not give them a chance!
1. Don’t bring valuables when you go to Barcelona
2. Always have a handbag with the zipper closed
3. Lock/tie your bag to your chair when you are in a bar/restaurant/public place
4. Don’t let people help you enter the train by lifting your suitcases. This is only a distraction to pick your pockets
5. Lock/tie everything you have to yourself
6. Be suspicious
7. When somebody entered the metro with you and just leaves before the door closes again, check your bags and if necessary jam the door from closing so security comes.
8. Don’t travel alone and have somebody watch you.
9. Most important if you see a pickpocket, an incident or fall victim you have to report it!!! Otherwise the police cannot do anything!