Pickpockets in Lisbon

Personal Security in Lisbon, Portugal

Although Lisbon is not in the same league as Barcelona for pickpocketing, with the port city in Spain having a staggering daily average of around 300 pickpocketing cases a day, the problem is still acute and remains largely unaddressed by the authorities. I write with some authority on the subject having been robbed in the Portuguese capital in the summer of 2015.

The top five cities for pickpocketing in Europe according to the Daily Mail are Barcelona, Paris, Madrid, Prague and Rome. By contrast Lisbon is safer but the situation is worsening.

I believe I was pick pocketed on a Saturday on the crowded number #28 Lisbon tram having got on just outside the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora after a morning visit to the nearby Thieves Market (Feira da Ladra).

Pickpockets in Lisbon, Portugal. — Tourist Police (PSP) Station in Palácio Foz, Plaça Restauradores, Lisbon

The trams carry warnings for passengers about the dangers of pickpockets who target tourists, rather than locals, often posing as tourists themselves. Victims' wallets are usually removed in the crowded rush to get on the tram or while standing as passengers are being shaken around as the trams clank through the narrow, twisting streets of the historic Alfama district. The pickpockets usually work as a team, often a couple, with the victim's wallet usually quickly transferred between them.

The popular #28 tram and the older versions of the number #15 tram from Cais do Sodré to Belém are particularly prone to pickpocketing, though care needs to be taken also on Lisbon's often crowded buses and subway.

The thieves often target people with children, who are an added distraction for parents traveling through the city.

If you are robbed in Lisbon the first thing to do is to report the incident to the Tourist Police (PSP) in Plaça Restauradores. The office is located on the west side of the square and the address is Palácio Foz, Praça dos Restauradores (Tel: 213 421 623/34; Fax: 213 421 642). It is located next door to the large Tourism Office (turismo) in the same Palácio Foz building. Ride the metro to the Restauradores metro station.

Here you may have to wait your turn. On the August day my wallet was taken there were already three sets of people being seen by the friendly officers on duty. Here you report the details of your loss, which is recorded, and you are given an official police report to sign.

This is important to retain for any later insurance claims. You are also provided with the telephone numbers of credit card companies, so you can call (free of charge) to put a stop to your credit cards. About three months later you are then sent a post card from the Portuguese police detailing the results of their investigation. In my case (and in the majority of cases, I believe), nothing was later found and no charges brought against any suspect.

This is not surprising as there are no CCTV cameras on public transport in Lisbon or other Portuguese towns and cities. The officer who dealt with me told me that it is very difficult to charge anyone unless they are caught in the act, which is rare. The perpetrators are both locals and professionals from other countries who come to Lisbon for the rich tourist pickings in the high season in summer.

Receipt from the Lisbon Tourist Police detailing stolen property. — Receipt from the Lisbon Tourist Police detailing stolen property

Post card from the Portuguese police detailing the investigation. — Post card from the Portuguese police detailing the investigation

Overall, there seemed a resigned attitude on the part of the authorities and Lisboetas in general to the problem of theft on Lisbon's trams, trains and buses, which is a shame as it can ruin a visitor's holiday and negatively darken their impression, of an otherwise, generally safe and hospitable country.

The onus is therefore on the visitor to Portugal to take precautions to prevent the problem of theft happening to them. I had tickets for a football game at Benfica plus bus and train tickets all go. Despite returning to the soccer stadium and the bus and train stations where I purchased the tickets I was not reimbursed.

Don't, like I did, carry your wallet in your trouser pocket
Invest in a money belt that should be worn under your clothes
Don't rush, like I did, to get on the tram; wait for the next one, it is while you are heedless of the situation around you that you are most vulnerable
Leave your cash, valuables and onward travel tickets back at the hotel and bring only enough money for that day's expenses
Be aware of the dangers of thieves in crowded, confined spaces especially the #28 tram and the city's buses

POLICE CONTACTS
- For safety and security advice, please follow: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/safety-and-security
- if you need to report a theft or any issues regarding security while in Portugal, please see the contacts of the (Tourist) Police Department in:
Lisbon: Tel: +351 213421623 or +351 213400090
Porto: Tel: +351 222092006
Faro: Tel: +351 289899899
Funchal, Madeira Islands: Tel: +351 291208400
Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands:
Address: Rua da Alfandega n. 1 9504-524 Ponta Delgada
Tel: +351 296205500
- For any problem at Lisbon Airport +351 218535403
- Faro Airport + 351 289800688
- Funchal Airport +351 291520889
- Ponta Delgada Airport +351 296205517