The Student Room Group

Pickpocketing in Germany (especially Berlin)

Here are the ways I am expected to take to avoid pickpockets:

1. Invested in a Pacsafe bag, passport in innermost packet alongside other valuables such as wallet and phone. It is lockable, so I will lock it whenever I go out.

2. Use Google Maps Street View to take a look at the full day's iternary, including all the directions I have to take for the day before setting out, and memorize all the directions. This eliminates the need of using any form of map when I go out.

3. Have a hand strap around my phone when I take photos.

4. Avoid going out after 9pm, or using public transport during rush hours. If crowds cannot be avoided, wear backpack on the front over the Pacsafe and put both hands on the bag.

5. Always be careful around surroundings, eliminate all phone use when walking. With point 2, allowing me to find my destination without a map in hand, this can be easily achieved. Be wary of every person around me.

6. Turn away immediately when someone is speaking to me, except uniformed staff.

7. In a restaurant, only take the credit card out in the moment when I have to pay the bill and put it back in lightning fast, for example when the waiter finally arrives at my table. Keep only the credit card in a designated place in the wallet. Also eliminate phone use and put the phone inside my locked Pacsafe bag.

8.On long distance trains, if possible, put the suitcase between legs and put hands on all bags when the train makes a stop. Avoid using the toilet.

9.At the airport, repack belongings airside if possible, such as before entering arrivals hall after claiming baggage.

Is this too far tbh?
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 1

Here are the ways I am expected to take to avoid pickpockets:
1. Invested in a Pacsafe bag, passport in innermost packet alongside other valuables such as wallet and phone. It is lockable, so I will lock it whenever I go out.
2. Use Google Maps Street View to take a look at the full day's iternary, including all the directions I have to take for the day before setting out, and memorize all the directions. This eliminates the need of using any form of map when I go out.
3. Have a hand strap around my phone when I take photos.
4. Avoid going out after 9pm, or using public transport during rush hours. If crowds cannot be avoided, wear backpack on the front over the Pacsafe and put both hands on the bag.
5. Always be careful around surroundings, eliminate all phone use when walking. With point 2, allowing me to find my destination without a map in hand, this can be easily achieved. Be wary of every person around me.
6. Turn away immediately when someone is speaking to me, except uniformed staff.
7. In a restaurant, only take the credit card out in the moment when I have to pay the bill and put it back in lightning fast, for example when the waiter finally arrives at my table. Keep only the credit card in a designated place in the wallet. Also eliminate phone use and put the phone inside my locked Pacsafe bag.
8.On long distance trains, if possible, put the suitcase between legs and put hands on all bags when the train makes a stop. Avoid using the toilet.
9.At the airport, repack belongings airside if possible, such as before entering arrivals hall after claiming baggage.
Is this too far tbh?

It's best to be cautious, but I do wonder if you're going a little over the top.

Bear in mind that you don't need to carry your passport all the time; so if you're in a hotel with a room safe, it's going to be much safer leaving it there. (The UK Government's travel advice for Germany states "It’s not a legal requirement to carry ID. However, if you cannot show ID when asked, police can escort you to get your passport." [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany/safety-and-security] -- I'd take the view that if you're not leaving the town/city that your hotel is in, it's fine to leave it in the hotel.)

You might want to consider carrying two wallets. One easily accessible with a small amount of cash in it, that can be offered if you do get mugged; and one with more money plus cards that you can get out if/when you need it.

I would always carry more than one bank card -- though if you have only one bank account you can't do that -- just in case one gets lost/stolen/isn't accepted.

Make sure you have a copy of your passport's identity page and keep that safe. Give a copy to a family member to keep hold of; also perhaps email a photo of it to yourself. That way if your passport is lost/stolen you'll have all the details to hand (particularly the passport number) when you report it. That will make it easier to get the old one cancelled and a replacement travel document issued.

Do the same with a travel insurance policy -- keep a copy of the policy number, and give details to a family member, just in case.

Make sure you have a GHIC card in case you need to get medical treatment.

Bear in mind that Berlin is a tourist city; there will be lots of people around looking like tourists. Using a map isn't particularly going to make you stand out. It's a good idea (anywhere) to have planned where you're going and how to get there; but memorising directions so you don't need to use a map seems a touch over the top. If you're not careful you'll spend so much time taking precautions that you'll forget to enjoy your time away.

Reply 2

Original post by martin7
It's best to be cautious, but I do wonder if you're going a little over the top.
Bear in mind that you don't need to carry your passport all the time; so if you're in a hotel with a room safe, it's going to be much safer leaving it there. (The UK Government's travel advice for Germany states "It’s not a legal requirement to carry ID. However, if you cannot show ID when asked, police can escort you to get your passport." [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany/safety-and-security] -- I'd take the view that if you're not leaving the town/city that your hotel is in, it's fine to leave it in the hotel.)
You might want to consider carrying two wallets. One easily accessible with a small amount of cash in it, that can be offered if you do get mugged; and one with more money plus cards that you can get out if/when you need it.
I would always carry more than one bank card -- though if you have only one bank account you can't do that -- just in case one gets lost/stolen/isn't accepted.
Make sure you have a copy of your passport's identity page and keep that safe. Give a copy to a family member to keep hold of; also perhaps email a photo of it to yourself. That way if your passport is lost/stolen you'll have all the details to hand (particularly the passport number) when you report it. That will make it easier to get the old one cancelled and a replacement travel document issued.
Do the same with a travel insurance policy -- keep a copy of the policy number, and give details to a family member, just in case.
Make sure you have a GHIC card in case you need to get medical treatment.
Bear in mind that Berlin is a tourist city; there will be lots of people around looking like tourists. Using a map isn't particularly going to make you stand out. It's a good idea (anywhere) to have planned where you're going and how to get there; but memorising directions so you don't need to use a map seems a touch over the top. If you're not careful you'll spend so much time taking precautions that you'll forget to enjoy your time away.

I have decided not to expose any valuables in a public area, and only taking out the credit card when it's my turn at the counter, and put it back in quickly with the staff still visible of me. And also, memorize 3-5 directions at a time while moving, reducing the amount of phone staring, so I can still be aware of my surroundings even when using a map. I will also be like a human CCTV, always looking around all of my surroundings, and just having quick shots with my phone.

I will wear my backpack at the front with the bag containing my valuables under it. The thieves have no chance to see it, adding an extra layer of protection. I will also hold the bag for one more layer of protection.

No chance for anyone picking me!
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 3

Just finished a full day in Berlin.
The situation was not as bad as I expected, so maybe all those precautions are influenced by such a paranoid family.

I just kept my phone in my front pocket, sometimes even using it for navigation. I don't have a hand strap as well.

I just ran away from 2 petition scams at the Berlin Wall. At the Brandenburg gate, one of the world's most dangerous pickpocket places, I had my backpack opened once but nothing was stolen as there were no valuables inside. I didn't see any pickpockets on the metro or trams I rode today. So actually there is no need to be so paranoid and going too far, even though my parents wanted me to do so.

Quick Reply