Personal Security in Europe

I am currently travelling in Serbia, and on my first full day in Belgrade, had my money and all credit and debit cards stolen (not to mention all other important cards – drivers licence, National Insurance, Health Insurance etc). Luckily my Passports were safe, and I still have my laptop and phone so I can at least travel, work and communicate.  Given the absolute headache it has been to access funds – it will take two weeks for me to receive a replacement debit card from the UK, I thought it a good time to write about personal security while travelling in Europe.

I have been traveling for many years, including in a number of developing countries, and I have never had anything stolen. When I first started traveling in my early twenties, and staying in youth hostels, I was always conscious of keeping my belongings safe. On my first trip to the UK from Australia, I would sleep with my purse and documents inside my pillowcase, on the underside of the pillow.  However, over the years, and with no major problems, I had become a bit complacent. I have never taken out travel insurance, but now wish I had!

Security While Travelling in Europe

This was my experience in Belgrade last week.  I had arrived the night before and was out on my first day in the city. I had been to the Castle, the Republic Monument, the Parliament Building, and St Mark’s Church. As I left the church a small girl approached me talking to me in what I assumed was Serbian. I assumed she was a gypsy (or Roma, as they now call them). I engaged with her slightly and then said “sorry, English”.  

Then I heard a man’s voice from behind me – who I assumed to be her father – speak to her, and she walked away towards him. I didn’t turn to look at him, but just went on my way. When I got to my next location – only about 20 minutes away, I took my rucksack off only to discover that both compartments were wide open, and my purse was gone.

Although I have no idea whether or not it was that man who took it, or at what point during that 20 minutes he rook it – it could have even happened there and then at St Mark’s for all I know, I assumed it was them. If someone did take it at the church, they could have followed, and robbed me at any opportune time. It is times like these I wished I had travel insurance!

Security While Travelling in Europe

This is not the first time my rucksack has been unzipped. It happened about a week earlier in Cologne in the main train station in Cologne, Germany. Nothing had been taken that time. In hindsight, I should have taken that as a warning. A German man told me my bag was open on that occasion. This time nobody told me, even if they saw it.

Tips for security while travelling in Europe

Anyway, I have come up with a few suggestions to avoid this happening to you when travelling in Europe, although they would be handy things to practice anywhere.

• If children approach you and try to engage with you, look around you. Someone may be using them as a decoy.

• Carry cards and cash in different places on your person, That way, if someone steals your cards, you still have cash, and vice versa.

• Don’t keep valuables in a rucksack you are carrying with you. It’s better to keep them in a small pouch you can keep hidden – preferably under clothing.

• If you are staying in shared rooms, sleep with your valuables inside your pillow case while asleep. Otherwise, keep them safely locked in a locker (I prefer the former).

• If you have to carry a rucksack, with laptop/camera etc inside, try to carry it on your front, . Alternatively, padlock the zips if possible.

• Don’t carry money, mobile phone etc in you pockets.

• In Belgrade in particular, the wait time at traffic lights is longer than you may be used to. There is also a longer time to cross. Waiting at crowded traffic lights, could be a good opportunity for thieves and pickpockets. Be aware of your surroundings.

• Branches of Western Union are everywhere across the world. This includes Belgrade. So you can get someone to wire cash to you, do so. This will help to tide you over until you received replacement cards.
• Consider taking out travel insurance.

• If you are in a position of extreme hardship, you should contact your embassy or consulate.

These are good practices in any city anywhere. Pickpockets are everywhere, but especially in crowded railway stations, or anywhere else where there are crowds. Depending where you are, it can be a real hassle to have all of these things replaced, as I have found out in the last week.

There will always be times when these things happen, regardless of how much care you take. Even so, it’s best to do your best to prevent them as far as possible, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest!