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When visiting a new city, you’ll want to make sure you’re well kitted-out for your travels – with a phone, wallet, camera and sunglasses.
But with travel scams at an all-time high, increasing by as much as 900 per cent over the past 18 months, being a tourist usually means you’re wide open to pickpocketers.
Often considered one of tourists’ biggest gripes when visiting a holiday hotspot, it has the potential to ruin your trip.
It can also leave you with devastating consequences – not to mention the inconvenience of having to replace, for example, your passport while abroad.
Now, travel expert Rick Steves has dished out some advice on the best anti-theft gadgets tourists should always carry while travelling, speaking to Travel + Leisure.
Here’s a rundown of the best tips for avoiding pickpockets – and the nifty purchases you can make to minimise your risk.
Cross-body bags
Rick’s first tip is to buy a cross-body bag, so that it’s harder to rip off your shoulder, it’s hands-free and allows you to keep your belongings in sight.
Some anti-theft bags even have clever straps that allow you to ‘lock’ the bag, preventing it from opening accidentally and stopping your belongings from falling out.
Have you been affected by pickpockets? Here’s some of the best purchases to prevent it
Perhaps the simplest – and most budget-friendly – anti-theft gadget you can buy is a crossbody bag.
This one blends practicality with style, coming in a range of colours, so will keep your items safe without compromising on look.
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This three-in-one bag has a clever strap that allows you to ‘lock’ the bag, preventing it from opening accidentally and stopping your belongings from falling out.
It also functions as a crossbody bag, ideal for ensuring your possessions can stay in front of you.
ShopAnti-theft phone tethers
Tens of thousands of mobile phones were stolen in London last year – equivalent to one taken every nine minutes.
Some 61,331 devices were snatched throughout 2025 – equivalent to 1,179 a week or 168 a day, according to analysis of the Metropolitan Police’s crime dashboard data.
Many of these are the work of phone snatchers in the street – and one way to combat this is to keep your phone out of sight.
Rick said: ‘Be mindful that when you bring out your phone, you’re waving dollar signs around. Somebody can snatch your phone and use the credit card on it.’
In case it does get stolen, he adds: ‘Make sure you’ve got a “Find My Phone”-type app, back up your data, and enable password protection.’
Alternatively, you could try some clever gadgets that help keep your phone locked away safely, including a magnetic anti-theft phone strap.
You might not have seen this before – but this robust anti-theft magnetic retractable phone lanyard is designed to keep your phone well and truly chained to your side.
Was £17.99
ShopPhone lanyards
Reports of pickpockets and sophisticated phone scams in Spanish holiday hotspots, such as Benidorm, Barcelona and Tenerife, have risen over the years.
Darren Corney, phone expert at Insurance2Go, said: ‘It’s clear that holidaymakers need to be more vigilant.’
He further advised: ‘Keep your phone out of sight in crowded areas, avoid leaving it in easily accessible pockets or bags and consider using anti-theft accessories like crossbody bags or phone lanyards.’
Keeping your phone firmly attached is the best way to ensure it is safe – and this adjustable neck strap is perfect.
Crafted with a coated stainless steel cable, this retractable keychain is built to withstand thousands of stretches without fraying or snapping.
Good luck, theives!
ShopAnti-theft clothing
Pickpockets can be beaten by a host of different tips and tricks – not to mention some quirky clothing solutions.
With secret zip pockets, hidden pouches and anti-slash straps, there are items that aim to keep travellers safe from bag snatchers and pickpockets all over the world.
Try, for instance, underwear designed to prevent pickpocketing, or a hoodie with secret pockets.
Everyone loves a hoodie – and what better than one with six hidden pockets all designed to hold everything from cash to credit cards, passports, keys and more.
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Perhaps one of the quirkier suggestions, these are nonetheless a great way to keep things such as cash safe.
Smuggling Duds boxer briefs have a travel pocket, the perfect discreet pocket to keep your valuables safe.
ShopTracking devices
Tracking devices, such as Apple AirTags or Tile by Life360 Mates, can be a winner.
Chris Harrington, travel expert and managing director at hoppa, said: ‘It’s 2026, and our technology advancements have never been better. You can now pick up reliable tracking devices for very little money, so there’s no excuse not to implement this tip into your travel plans.
‘Tracking devices are real-time tools that are incredibly discreet, and you can connect them to your luggage, phone, wallet, keys, or just about anything you’re travelling with that you consider valuable.
‘These devices connect to your phone via Bluetooth, and you get automatically alerted if your bag strays beyond a safe distance, helping you find it quickly, especially if you’ve chosen distinctive luggage.’
Apple AirTags are popular for a reason – they can help you keep track of your things while travelling!
While they might be a little more on the pricey side, they are a clever gadget you can use to track your luggage, bags and even your wallet or passport.
£35.60 for single tag
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Keep your AirTags in great condition and easily attached to your belongings with these holders.
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Tile Mates can be attached to keys and suitcases, helping you keep track of your belongings.
The Bluetooth trackers are the ideal solution for scatterbrains, and also for safety if you’re solo travelling, so friends and family can know your whereabouts.
Was £52.98
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It comes after the Daily Mail revealed the world’s biggest scams tourists need to watch out for – or risk losing thousands.
From new scams to more sophisticated swindles, fraudsters are constantly refining their techniques to exploit tourists for easy money – leaving them without cash, identification, or access to funds during a trip.
Criminals often work in teams, using distraction techniques while an accomplice steals wallets or phones.
Additionally, a ‘bird poo’ trick, a classic distraction theft, is making a reappearance in cities like London.
The scam involves dropping white, green or black paint or food onto a tourist to mimic bird droppings, followed by the appearance of a seemingly helpful stranger who offers assistance in cleaning it off – all while covertly stealing your valuables.
Plus, various taxi and Uber scams are common worldwide.
HOW TO BEAT THE PICKPOCKETS
1. Place your wallet in your front pocket instead of the back. Using an elastic band around the wallet will prevent it from smoothly sliding out your pocket as well.
Consider taking a dummy wallet with you, as most thieves will not look for another once they have found the first one. This can also work with a dummy old phone.
2. Spread your valuables instead of keeping them in once place.
If you are unlucky enough to be a victim of pickpocketing, and your ID, passport, cards and important documents are spread out, you will not lose everything in one go.
3. Do not accept food or drink from strangers who you’ve just met in hotels or on buses or trains.
4. Before travelling, research whether the destination is notorious for any particular scams. Embassy websites and online travel forums are particular good sources.
5. Carry a backup ATM or credit card in case you lose your main card.
6. Females should consider sewing a pocket into their bras for valuables, as thieves are well aware of money belts, and know how to target them.
7. When sitting down keep your bag looped through your leg, or under a chair leg, to avoid someone making off with the whole bag.
8. Consider a slash-free bag, to avoid pickpockets cutting into your belongings to extract valuables.
9. Don’t draw attention to your belongings by letting pickpockets know where you are keeping each valuable.
10. Remain aware; pickpockets succeed by successfully misdirecting your attention, so be suspicious if someone tries to distract you during your day.
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