Unassuming tourists are prime targets for pickpockets who prey on those distracted by their surroundings.

Public transport stations, major tourist attractions and busy areas are usually the worst spots for thieves both in the UK and abroad. But there are a few European destinations where tourists are more likely to fall foul of a pickpocket, according to a recent study.

Research from the travel expert team at Quotezone.co.uk has unveiled the hotspot destination – and it’s a place that attracts 3.5 million British visitors every year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Spokesperson Tiffany Mealiff said: “European cities are famously popular tourist destinations for sightseeing, with the recent surge in holidaymakers expected to continue throughout 2024, unfortunately, this also makes them some of the danger zones for pickpocketing.”

She added that holidaymakers need to be aware of the potential hazards that come with travelling to these tourist hotspots.

Italy has emerged at the top of the rundown as the European holiday hotspot where Brits are most likely to be relieved of their belongings by stealthy thieves.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is pinpointed as the worst offender for pickpocketing with over 470 mentions of ‘pickpockets’ in Tripadvisor critiques.

One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Lovely fountain however you cannot get a good view. Very very crowded area. The crowds are around the fountain and down every surrounding street. Be careful of your belongings due to the high risks of pick pockets!”

A second person urged: “Beware of pickpockets, that was the first thing our waiter said as we sat down to have dinner. As we were eating we could witness the pickpocketers visually communicating as people walked the crowded streets enjoying the evening. After we finished we quickly went to get pictures and grabbed a taxi and left It’s True – Trevi Fountain is also famous for pickpocketers.

A third visitor remarked: “Beautiful fountain. Extremely crowded. Beware of this area, lots of scams and pickpockets here!”

Behind Italy, France took the second spot on the list, with the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris being another prime location for light-fingered wrongdoers.

A recent visitor to the lauded monument remarked on TripAdvisor: “An iconic tower but not as romantic as I imagined. You can see it for miles and it really is a statement in the city, but close up it is full of scaffolding and metal fences for construction. The bridge nearby is rife with pickpockets so when taking photos or asking anyone to assist. Keep your belongings close.”

Another tourist claimed: “Queues were ridiculous and overcrowding was rife and this made the number one problem so much worse – Pickpockets, scammers and fake ‘Take this survey’ thieves (mostly young women). They almost sought us out in groups as we felt penned in with all the fencing for the building works.”

As for Spain, the popular holiday hotspot only ranked third in terms of destinations with the highest theft rates. Barcelona retains a notorious reputation for pickpockets with Las Ramblas named as the worst offender for such encounters.