Could nt agree more,christ on a bike have a wander round birchwood or Dallam any night of the week.

Why do people think they have to scare monger people all the time..

LOOK what we are inbetween Liverpool and Manchester,every weekend someone is shot,raped,stabbed,tortured or hospitalised in some way shape or form??????????

Whats goin on in other countries is nothing but slap and tickle..

Guys.....I just got back from a weekend in Barca and you will love it but do be aware of your surroundings.

A bloke in front of me on a very crouded train got his pockets felt by two girls.......luckily another passenger saw what they were doing and shouted at them and they did a runner.

There seems to be quite a lot of homeless people sleeping on the beach and grass verges......they even have matresses.

Dont let this spoil your trip.........its only like any major city in Europe........just be vigilant at all times and have a great time.

i've been before and am far from a drama queen, i feel your a little naieve, are you going?

i've been before and am far from a drama queen, i feel your a little naieve, are you going?

Ive' been twice for England games, and though nothing has happened to me personally, have heard lots of stories from others. Just keep your wits about you and not start being daft

hopefully tony may be looking at a replacement for briers while over there

I've been studying this site for the last couple of days for info on the transport links etc.and it has quite a detailed section on personal safety etc. and which areas are worst. The warnings do seem to be worse than any other city I have attended, so it is probably best to keep your wits about you. EDIT@ Here's the link: www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/ ... o-map.html

I've been studying this site for the last couple of days for info on the transport links etc.and it has quite a detailed section on personal safety etc. and which areas are worst. The warnings do seem to be worse than any other city I have attended, so it is probably best to keep your wits about you. EDIT@ Here's the link: www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/ ... o-map.html

my mates son lived there for 18 months or so lot of pick pockets keep your ££ in front pockets zipped up if you have zips keep camaras and phones the same bring out when using them he said some will just snatch them and run and they the know the "rabbit warrens" far better than we ever will

just change all your money into beer and snacks, buy a wheel barrow, hey presto a weekend of entertainment with no worries about being mugged/ loss of money

A useful tip a PC gave me from his experience last year in Barca. When having a drink/meal in the tourist areas dont leave your coat/jacket or bag on the back of a chair. So easy to get dipped.

Anyway I will be looking out for Slim as our minder

Shocking place for crime, never seen such activity its blatant pick pocketing. My 2 sisters were sat on a bench in the ramblas, a spanish chap sat at the side and decided to put his hand in one my sisters handbag and remove her purse, my other sister saw him do it and he looked at her, smiled and simply put the purse back in her bag and said shhhhhh and casualy walked away. Have seen many many people pick pocketed in the ramblas area, its unreal and almost a past time to sit back and watch it in action. Plenty of undercover police in that area, but still cant control the shinanigans.

Take out a few bob and thats it, leave everythign back in your accommodation. Get some shorts with zip pockets and keep them zipped up. It realy is an unreal place when it comes to pick pocketing .

Enjoy your weekend folks and be safe and zip up those pockets.

Do what the wise Saints fan says and you won't go far wrong.
We went for the Moto GP last year and saw a pick pocket get caught by a waiter at the port end of the Ramblas - other waiters piled in from all the restaurants and bars around and kicked the crap out of him. When they'd finished the police dragged what was left away.

In a different part of Spain last year, my uncle who lives out there showed me a little 'passtime' as we were having a few beers outside a bar by the beach. He threw an empty wallet on the floor no more than three in front of us and we sat and watched as nearly everyone who walked past in either direction kicked the wallet a few paces in front of their stride, picked it up and threw it down in disgust when they realised it was empty. The wallet was back and forth in front of our eyes so much, it was almost like watching tennis. Nobody looked round and thought to ask if it was ours, or anyone else's within proximity of the wallet.

People often lower their guard in a holiday atmosphere, it is sensible to be a bit more vigilant than you'd normally be.