PERSONAL SECURITY

Notice to Our American Citizen Visitors

Barcelona is a beautiful cosmopolitan city with a relatively low rate of crime. However, an increase in robberies, petty theft, and periodic violent attacks in the tourist areas of the city has prompted us to issue this personal security notice. The simplest and most effective precaution against theft is to leave your passport and valuables in a hotel safe or other secure place while enjoying the city.

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Thefts by Pickpockets

Thieves usually work in pairs. Purses are snatched from pedestrians, cyclists and even vehicles. Purse-snatchers usually grab purses or wallets and run away, often to a waiting motorcycle driven by an accomplice. Another scenario involves a passenger on a passing motorcycle grabbing tourists’ purses. Occasionally, thieves seek refuge in crowded narrow streets (particularly near the Picasso Museum).

Beware of "good Samaritans" – people who offer to help you with a problem such as changing a flat tire or cleaning off a mustard stain. Almost always, these same individuals were involved in causing the unfortunate situation. While the "good Samaritan" helps with the flat or stain, an accomplice locates the valuables, grabs them, and runs off.

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Precautions

1. Carry a photocopy of your passport (stamped by the hotel you're staying at) and leave the original with your valuables in the hotel safe.

2. Do not carry a purse – backpacks and fanny-packs are also extremely vulnerable.

3. Keep valuables in front pockets.

4. Carry only enough cash for the day’s needs.

5. Be aware of who is around you, especially when somebody asks you a question or distracts you (attempting to sell you flowers, making you read a sign, or showing you a baby).

6. Keep a separate record of you passport number, traveler’s check numbers and credit cards.

7. Be especially careful in crowds, tourist areas (including hotels, restaurants, airports, train stations), and the subway system.

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Thefts from Cars

Every car is a potential target, whether parked or merely stopped at a light.

Precautions

1. Do not leave anything in sight in your car.

2. Place any valuables in the trunk before you park.

3. Always assume you are being watched.

4. Lock your car, even for a one-minute stop, and while you are driving.

5. Keep your windows closed while you are driving.

6. Exercise extreme caution in the rental car parking lot (coming and going).

7. Be on the lookout for "good Samaritans" who point out flat tires and other car problems.

The above precautions make good sense wherever you travel. By observing them, your visit to Barcelona, indeed all of Spain, should leave only pleasant memories of a historic and beautiful place.

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