Rome Crime Personal Safety Terrorism & Tourist Traps In Roma
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Threat Of Terrorism in Rome & Italy
The Italian Government in 2004 announced that had assessed an increased risk of an attack by international terrorists. Domestic terrorism is also an occasional problem. Historically domestic terrorism has targeted Italian State or local government establishments. Incendiary devices and small bombs have been used in these attacks.
As a result of these combined threats security across Italy has increased in recent years. Security levels have been increased at the airports in Rome and Milan as has surveillance on the metro and railway stations in these and other cities.
Crime & Personal Safety in Rome
Serious crime involving members of the public is low in Rome but the city has an increasing problem with petty crime – with tourists and visitors often the targets of bag snatchers and pick pockets. Bus no 64 is a particular favoured working environment of pick-pockets. Other places to take special care are around the Termini area and at the airport especially when unloading your luggage from trains and coaches. These thefts may involve children who work as part of a syndicate and often attract your attention by rowdy or bad behavior whilst someone else ensures you have no luggage to check in on your return flight. Luggage theft can also occur on train service particularly sleeper trains.
Do not exchange currency with any one in the street unless you are a collector of counterfeit euro notes. Only exchange currency at banks or a bureau de change.
Cars should be locked at all times and luggage should not be left in them and visible. Visible luggage is an invitation to car thieves who may steal the luggage and possibly the car as well. Luggage should not be left in cars overnight.
In recent years there have been an increasing number of sexual assaults on women who may have had their drinks spiked. Do not leave you drinks unattended at any time. The tactic of spiking drinks is also used by petty criminals who want to rob you. British visitors should be aware that some drinks are stronger than those normally available in the UK.
Tourist Traps In Rome
For some reason this city seems to have a fair number of unofficial tourist guides (cicerone) who will approach you offering to show you around. They tend to be genuinely friendly and are not particularly expensive – especially if you agree a price before hand. We mention them as though they are quite well informed (as you would expect) some of them are unsure of or actually loose their bearings. The surprise here is that these guides are often tourists themselves!
Assuming that you are aware of the activities of petty criminals as mentioned above tourist traps in Rome are on par with other other European cities. The most tourist irritating traps have to be the offer of gift of flowers (often roses) from enchanting young children which if you accept will mean that you be will approached by an intimidating adult demanding that you reciprocate the gift in amuch higher financial way.. Another mistake, particularly when you are in the or close to the Colosseum is to have your photo taken with someone dressed as a gladiator. This is likely to cost you a minimum of €5 and if you are not muscle bound it may cost you €10 or more.
Street vendors (and some cafes) , particular those selling water, have a thirst for tourist’s money and may ask €5 or more for bottled water. Bottled water prices seems to ‘peak’ in July when the combination of humidity and heat (see Rome weather) more tempted to buy from them. It is worth noting that in Rome free drinking water points (which is safe to drink) can be found quite easily – though if there is a notice with the words ‘‘Non Potabile’ alongside the water is definitely not suitable for drinking. Incidentally at this time of the year the queues to enter the Vatican can be quite long and very slow moving which can spoil thing especially of it is hot.
Rome has its fair share of unmarked unlicensed illegal taxis none of which have a meter. If you end up in one of these agree a price before you move. Some people also suggest this with the legal ones – particularly when travelling to and from the airports – please see the Rome airports page.
Eating out in restaurants (see Rome Restaurants) can be tricky. Food standards are generally good in Rome and restaurants serving poor food are not common. However prices can vary tremendously with restaurants in sight of or close to the Vatican frequently overpriced. As some of these establishments cater primarily for tourists and do not have a local customer base the quality of the food can be disappointing.
Jane Kerby (London) On Rome
Jane Kerby (pictured above at the Trevi Fountain on Christmas Day) wrote to us with a few notes about Rome which she thought might be of interest to any one travelling to Rome: ” I just spent 4 days in Rome travelling from Heathrow and had a few tips for travellers to the city. The cost of bottled water or pop is now 4 euros from street sellers to supermarkets to hotels so be prepared for the high prices. If you are queuing for the colosseum don’t believe the guides trying to charge you an extra 10 euros each to get in who say you will be waiting an hour – the lines are quick moving and although we were in a very long line we still made it inside within 20 minutes so don’t be disheartened its not as bad as it looks. Plus your 12 euro ticket to the Colosseum gets you into Palatine Hill and the Forum so regular admission is good value anyway.
Good value souvenirs can be found around the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in the shape of sketches of the famous landmarks for a mere 2.50 euros, they are good quality sketches in colour and when a key ring will cost you 4.50 euros you can see what good value that is.
Don’t be fooled by street sellers selling stuff off a blanket in the street they are not selling cheap stuff – a belt was 25 euros and with £s to euros almost equal that’s a lot for a fake designer belt in the street. Be prepared for all the grafitti because its everywhere and don’t think when you arrive at your hotel that you’ve picked a bad part of town because you’ll soon discovered that no matter where you go there’s graffiti.
