Pickpokets, Pisa

When you arrive at the train station at Pisa, watch out for roma gypsies. They are just outside the train station. Whatever you do, do not go into the bar accross the square opposite the train station for something to drink or eat, it's called Cofer Bar!! They operate within that bar, the gypsies know the bar staff!! I know because I was robbed by them, some are dressed a bit normal like italians and they are in the bar scouting for targets, I had one next to me when I ordered inside and she definately knew all the bar staff so I thought she wasn't a gypsie, but I was a little worried because she did keep an eye on my purse. But again, because she knew the girl behind the bar I thought I was imagning things. I had my purse safe well within my case. I was travelling with my mum who is partially disabled and an old gyspie woman starting pushing my mum (how sad is that?!) so I had to help her. Before I knew it, it only takes a second with that lot, all your stuff is gone. Just keep all your valuables literally in your underwear or bottom of your backpack and don't stop at that bar and tell any desperado gyppo to you know what!!

A trip to Tuscany was spoiled yesterday when my girlfriend's purse was stolen on the bus back to the airport. It's not as if we weren't aware of the dangers and what to look out for, but she realised that her purse was gone after a women with a baby in a sling bumped into her on the bus from the Tower to the airport. We assume the woman had seen my girlfriend take the bus tickets out of her purse and then put the purse back into her bag.
By the time we noticed she had gone, and even if we had caught her I suppose she would have passed the purse to an accomplice. Know where your valuables are at all times - these thieves are very good at their unpleasant business.

Travel Guide Trip & info's : www.madisonvillearts.org
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Remember to protect yourself against purse-snatchers and pickpockets. It is recommended that you wear a money belt or a pouch on a string around your neck, both concealed. When you have to carry a purse make sure that is around your neck and tucked between your body and arm. A word of caution: "gypsy" children are widespread in Rome, are skilled pickpockets that are quick, and know more tricks than you do.
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Travel Guide Trip & info's : www.madisonvillearts.org

I was pickpocketed by three women as I entered a shop to buy water. I followed a woman holding a baby. As she was at the doorway, she stopped in her tracks. People crashed into me from behind and I was crushed between the woman ahead of me and those behind me. I should have been alert (and had a zippered money pouch in my front right pants pocket) but got careless. I ended up not buying water and when I was at the train station about 5 minutes later, realized I had my money pouch stolen.

This happened to my sister: we were walking back to our bus when suddenly a young girl holding a baby and two other boys approached to my sister asking for money to feed the baby, but the girl put a big piece of cardboard above my sister's bag to take the wallet out while trying to distract her.
But fortunatelly some of out tourmates saw the two boys trying to steal and they yielded at us, that scared the thiefs and they just ran away. They actually took out the wallet but dropped it after our tourmates saved my sister! Be aware of any suspicious people, doesn't matter if they have babies, they use them to steal!!

On the train from florence to pisa we had a bold pregnant (well she looked pregnant but she may have been faking it for sentiment like most gypsies with babies and animals) gypsy girl come up to me and my friend. She tried to get us to give her our food and money and started kissing my friends legs and when we kept saying no she acted like she was going to spit on us. Then before walking off she smacked me hard with her knuckles on the top of my head! It was so suprising that I didnt know what to do. Then later when they came around to check tickets we realized she had stolen it! We were lucky that was all that she took and that the person checking let us stay on the train but make sure that you have nothing out that can be stolen and dont sleep on the trains!!!

If u just enter in campo dei miracoli, u'll stand amoung a crowd of tourists and african sellers! please don't trust them!
they wanna sell u fake watches, like rolex, or different kind of gold, like rings or necklaces.
i recommend u to not buy them!
they wanna try to fake u at alltogether!
so, . . . . keep out!!!

A friend of mine his money was stolen by the Gypssy girl. He realised that his wallet been stolen and he comfront this gypssyirl who begging money from him ealier. According to my friend there's quite big amount in his wallet. He claimed that he want to report to the local police. This girl get anxious when she heard about he mentioend" Police". After 10minutes arguing and finally this girl giving back wallet to my friend. Just be alert while you hanging around in Italy athough i can't deny that it's beautiful country.

In Pisa, beware of dodgy old ladies who look like nuns with bad backs, in long black shawls.

They are really young girls who will use their lower height (thanks to the bent back) to reach into your pocket.

Be alert, but not alarmed!!

My visit to Pisa was nearly ruined by an attempt by pickpockets to steal my wallet on the bus back to the airport. This gang operates around the bus stop just by the city walls as this is where the bus to the airport leaves from and their target is tourists laden with luggage and bags.

Fortunately, I instinctively felt something was dodgy about a couple of the characters hanging around the bus stop and was able to react when one of them made his move. These pickpockets work in two and threes but appear to be on their own until the last moment. For some reason the bus driver seemed to be letting them get on and off without showing any tickets. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of them to go with this tip. Be very careful.