Ladies, Take Care in Barcelona

A young lady takes a photo of a friend. It’s a happy scene.

In Barcelona this comes with a risk. The girls are distracted, they’re not watching their belongings; they’re wearing clothing and accessories that suggest they might have cash. Bag-snatchers are drawn to them.

Let’s analyse the scene…

Ladies beware.

1. High heels. You can’t run with those. If someone takes your belongings, you can’t pursue them. Robbers know this. It marks you out as a target.

2. Nice accessories, watches and earrings. If you’re wearing these publicly, what does it suggest you are carrying in your bag? Additionally, whilst most robbers are happy to make-off with your bags, if they know you’re wearing accessories of value, then it’s more likely they’ll try to take more than your bags, which results in a confrontation, increasing the danger to you.

3. Bags on the ground. The owners are distracted, one girl has turned her back to their bags, the strap is even presenting itself, whilst the other girl is looking through a camera viewfinder. A good chance these will be stolen.

4. Camera. Suggests a tourist, or someone who isn’t normally on the streets of Barcelona, so wishes to record the scene. A tourist means possible passports, credit cards, additional cash. A tourist also suggests someone who doesn’t know the backstreets, which hinders them if they want to chase the thief.

5. Girls. This isn’t fair to our lady readers, but a pair of girls are easier targets for unscrupulous robbers than a pair of guys. Whilst the girls may have had self-defense training, it’s less likely they’ll put up a fight than two guys. This might be recommended in any case, as robbers fearing capture by the police will do anything to make good their escape, including pulling a knife.

We all want to be free to wear what we like, but in times like these and in a city like Barcelona, what you wear may bring much unwelcome attention.

Tags: bags, barcelona, camera, distraction, earrings, heels, high, jewellery, jewels, robbery, shoot, watch, watches