we didnt see any police on la rambla on saturday night - for one of the most famous streets this place was a lawless ghetto. The port area had security guards stopping the undesirables even getting near. The only arrest we saw was a lucky lucky man selling sunnies in the square next to la rambla. - what a joke.

Barcelona is a beautiful city. I went with the family and my parents. We had a great time, but the theme of the weekend was the number of attempts at crime we saw/ were victims of.

I had to twice confront men with their hands in my mothers bag, my father had the zip on his rucksack opened 4 times (nothing in there to take), my friend had his wallet taken whilst walking back from pub on Friday night and 60-70% of people we met during the weekend or on the plane, all talked about either having things stolen/ attempted theft or witnessing attempts at crime.

I'm sorry, but the whole 'same as any other city' story is utter bull. I've been to most european cities and have NEVER seen crime on this level. I was genuinely relieved to get on the plane with my wallet on Sunday. As my father-in-law warned before we went, 'its not a case of if, but when it happens in Barcelona'.

Great game, great stadium, enjoyed the weekend, but crime there is a major issue that significantly affected the enjoyment of the weekend, especially with three young kids with us.

Barca or Perpignan? Perpignan every time.....

Really? So your group were affected 7 times over the weekend? I don't mean to be rude, but were you not taking any precautions whatsoever?

As for the 60-70% stat, well I will counter that by saying that I only spoke to 1 person who had been affected.

What I never understand - in any major city - is why people don't take more care. If you have things in a backpack or back pocket then surely you know your risking pickpocketing?

Same if you carry a handbag that doesn't fasten properly, and ideally where you can keep the fastening close to your body (zip at the front etc). I know people let down their guard when away from home but is that really a reason to take unnecessary risk and make things easier for pickpockets?

anything like this happen in Barca over the weekend.....?

because this happens plenty of times in this town......

rlhttp://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/articles/5643/1/Mans-jaw-broken-in-street-attack/Page1.htmlrl

the brother of furture championy was subjected to an attack knocked to the floor by 5 thugs had his camara of him then started in his pockets until another wire fan give one of them a "haymaker" and sent them running no all you lot on about "precautions" how to do prevent that he was with a small group also they seem to target the vunerable ie young or older folk i didn't personally get any grief apart from the toms who don't take no for an answer but then i'm a big bloke enjoed it around the ground great day but if you venture around the ramblas stay with a big crowd

We also spoke to numerous people who had been victims, both at day and night. This is not like any other street I have ever been to. Would I recommend barca ? - Yes but definitely not la rambla area.

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/ma ... as-ramblas

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/ma ... as-ramblas

The Spanish police are some of the laziest I have ever seen. The only time I saw them moving was when they were going into a cafe for their lunch.

The lack of police presence in this area was a real surprise. This simply wouldn't happen in main areas in England.

sounds like the good old british bobby in warrington blues and twos blazing as they shoot through the bus lanes at bridge foot at 6:30 on their way to Subway.

I've been to Ibiza a number of times and Amsterdam once and not seen any trouble in those places. Yes you get people selling drugs but you just say no and they move on.

I've seen documentataries and read up on the Internet on the Barcelona pickpockets, they are really quick and work in big groups. Often young children or old women who won't get arrested by the police who are almost definitely doing the dirty work for someone else.

As a tourist you need to blend in, you can't look Spanish but you can look like a foreigner who lives in the area, walk quickly instead of standing around, keep expensive items away - if you look like you don't have much on you then they aren't going to waste their time trying and will target someone else instead.

Do you ie,read the papers or listen to the regional news???????

Young lad shot in fallowfield manchester over the weekend!!
Lad hailed a cab manchester city centre sat evening, got raped,YES RAPED!! bY THE CAB DRIVER....

Stop being so blinkered and get real you fool??

Looks like its you being blinkered. You've just read a few stories in the newspapers about crime in Manchester. Perhaps if you went out there yourself you'd realise that these are rare incidents and Manchester is fine.

If we all lived our lives in fear of crime we'd never get out of bed in the morning.

We ventured down Ramblas on the 2 nights we were there, and though I didnt actually witness any trouble, theres no doubt theres a seedy undercurrent in the area. The girls were a laugh though, to get rid of them pretty quickly, just tell them you're into ladyboys, they soon get off to the next 'customer'

THE HOOF