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Barcelona’s overall crime rate hasn’t risen for a number of years. That said, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing are major concerns. In crowded streets and bars you should be especially vigilant for pickpockets. An increasing number of bars and restaurants are even hiring private security firms. On the streets, the area around La Rambla is particularly notorious. If someone comes up to you offering to show you one of Ronaldinho’s football moves and attempts to stick his leg between yours you can be pretty sure his hand will be creeping around into your back pocket for your wallet, so maintain a healthy distance. Crime in the city is in the greatest degree petty and generally does not involve violence, although muggings are known to happen on the more deserted streets late at night. Never leave handbags or valuables lying around on tables or on the floor as, sooner or later, they will disappear. Keep your camera close to you, don’t leave valuables in the outer pockets of your bag or coat and keep your eyes open when withdrawing money from an ATM.

More than 50% of 2006’s summer-time robberies occurred on beaches, whilst 33% took place on the city’s metro and rail network. The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s police force, reported that there were 687 bag snatches. The Barcelona districts in which most crime was reported over the summer months of 2006 were: Ciutat Vella (13,339); Eixample (9,554) and Sants (5,091).