Don’t shoot me down in flames- a genuine question.

In the unlikely event that they have good jewellery or watches, and certainly top-end mobile phones, don't wear them or use them. Get a cheap second-hand or burner mobile which won't tempt thieves. Put security measures on mobiles so they can't be used.

I think there's a lot of anxiety here.
Please stop worrying.
The vast majority of young people travel the world without problems.

What is "late teens"
18?
You mean adults?

For peace of mind I’d suggest they use a secure bag like these
Use common sense and not make themselves vulnerable.
London is safer than many parts of the world.

pacsafe.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13127632006&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9JLHBhC-ARIsAK4Phcr6X84xNYLfzwCPXKgoFvLh01p2HhPij_3YFxwWARc9H7_uYAPtmdUaAjBtEALw_wcB

Oh! Right....

Some good news....oh...

Was hoping there might have actually been some wonderful news....as we could all do with some...

CariadAgain

petra

Allira
I’ve seen 2 phone thefts right in front of me in our high street.
One of them so close I jumped back.
Hopefully with the wonderful news last night our phones might be a bit safer.

That must have gone straight over my head.

What "wonderful news last night"?

The police have busted ( part of) a huge gang of mobile phone thieves. 28 arrests. All down to one woman tracking her phone down to the Heathrow distribution centre and one security guard there doing his job and going that extra mile.

Unlike the woman on File on 4 a few weeks back. She tracked her stolen phone to a house. Went to the house and phoned the police from there.
Their response, can you prove that your phone has been stolen and can you prove this is your phone.
There are hundreds of people who have tracked their phones but got no help from the police.
This could have been stopped years ago 😡

I’m in London once a month for work. Do not walk around with your phone out, ever. Stop and take photos but stand back from the road edge. Don’t put phones in back pockets.
If staying in London leave backpacks in the room and take a small bag with you that can be zipped and always carry it with the zip head at the front…they can easily unzip from the back and drop their hand in.
Don’t act overly cautious it just draws attention to you. Walk with confidence. When getting on the tube just ask a member of staff which platform and they will direct you quickly and efficiently.
Most importantly do not wear lots of expensive jewellery/watch. I have a crappy fitbit that I wear and it works fine for telling the time and is worth about £5. Don’t take anything you wouldn’t want to lose is our saying.

Final one is never leave a friend behind no matter how much she looks like she is having fun, stay together.

CariadAgain

petra

Allira
I’ve seen 2 phone thefts right in front of me in our high street.
One of them so close I jumped back.
Hopefully with the wonderful news last night our phones might be a bit safer.

That must have gone straight over my head.

What "wonderful news last night"?

The police smashed a big Iraqi gang here responsible for thousands and thousands of phone thefts.

petra

Allira
I’ve seen 2 phone thefts right in front of me in our high street.
One of them so close I jumped back.
Hopefully with the wonderful news last night our phones might be a bit safer.

That must have gone straight over my head.

What "wonderful news last night"?

I'd be worried sick if my grand daughters were thinking of doing that.

Tell them not to take too much stuff. The less they have, the easier it is to keep tabs on it and the less there is to steal. Put it all out on the bed then reduce it by half, but don't just take scruffy clothes - for a city you will fit in better with something a little smarter.

When in Rome, which is notorious, I distributed cash and cards over 2-3 tiny purses which I placed in different jeans pockets. Passport I left at my accommodation. Phone in my bra, no handbag. Maybe a couple of tissues and a small tin of hand cream, but for a day trip in a city there really is no need for more than that.

Phones, purses and wallets in front jeans pockets, nothing visible in back pockets. If you need to carry or wear a jacket, only put non-valuables in the pockets. Make sure you don't take cards or phones out where everyone can see you, then away from people. Mend any holes in pockets, and if you can sew, use some spare fabric to add a little depth to pockets to give you more room to stow stuff.

Memorise passwords and phone numbers or at least keep a cryptic note somewhere to help you remember. Keep cards in RFID-secure cases. I use some which are simply like envelopes no bigger than the cards themselves.

There are some really good theft-proof crossbody bags and backpacks availab!e which they might like to invest in, by an Australian company ca!led Pacsafe.

One of my daughters had her phone snatched by a man on a scooter - this was in Shepherd's Bush. Two Polish guys ran after him and snatched it right back.
Not everyone is a problem in London.

Allira
I’ve seen 2 phone thefts right in front of me in our high street.
One of them so close I jumped back.
Hopefully with the wonderful news last night our phones might be a bit safer.

I am an ear bud walker too.

Galaxy

I know I know, but I do that.
I am usually listening to a true crime podcast which I suspect is even worse

😲

I know I know, but I do that.
I am usually listening to a true crime podcast which I suspect is even worse

imaround

I am an American who was in both London and Paris in June with a bunch of teenaged girls. We had absolutely no problems in either city. Not with theft, nor harassment of anyone of our group
We were treated well in both cities, which I was worried about considering the reputation of Americans right now. I did get my teens the insert for the phone case that turns them into lanyard though, as I heard that phone thefts are common.

Yes, phone thefts in London have been on the national news this evening; apparently they zoom past on electric bikes on the pavement, snatch the phone and off they go. The police are clamping down but best to keep it hidden.

The phones go off to China, apparently 🤔

I never think it's a good idea to wear ear buds, listening to music as you walk either.

They live in Melbourne - they are not as naive as you think. They'll be fine.

My American son in law has lived in the UK for the last 30 years, about an hour's drive from central London. Throughout that 30 years his family in America have begged him to come home because the UK is such a dangerous place! When his brothers came for a holiday I think they were quite surprised that no one robbed or attacked them. Needless to say my son in law has never had any problems here.

I am an American who was in both London and Paris in June with a bunch of teenaged girls. We had absolutely no problems in either city. Not with theft, nor harassment of anyone of our group
We were treated well in both cities, which I was worried about considering the reputation of Americans right now. I did get my teens the insert for the phone case that turns them into lanyard though, as I heard that phone thefts are common.

I suspect we were unlucky but it was deeply unpleasant.

I truly loved Naples.
It was so vibrant and wild. It's full of art and history, parkland and piazza- has stunning green areas, the sea, the food.... fabulous!

My youngest daughter went alone there for a short holiday in an airbnb about 3 years ago. I think she was there about 6 or so days.
She said it was the best place she'd ever been as a single young woman - she met so many interesting people who took her to the opera, home for dinner, to some great places to "hang out" and to museums and galleries.

I don't think youre one day experience is typical.

Naples was the only place I have ever been where I felt unsafe! Lots of people rave about it, we were only there for the day but we're harassed/approached numerous times.

Chocolatelovinggran
You are right about Las Ramblas.
And can I add that busses in Naples seem to be crammed sufficiently to not notice pick-pocketing!

We went to Paris a few years ago, always loved visiting, but the city was full of people begging, lots of unemployed young men hanging around in some areas (and no women visible) and we saw tourists being robbed near the Sacre Coeur. It could be different now but we will never go back.
I’m sure though the young women will have their wits about them and have a wonderful time.

Never leave the other friend alone ..always stay together, do not stand about looking at maps / phone...The one time I got scammed was in China, the scammers are very clever and you feel they are your friends ...they are not ...luckily we left our credit cards on our cruise ship ...