Florence Warnings Or Dangers Tips by kenadams

Pickpockets everywhere! Pickpockets Review

Gipsies, often old ladies or young girls work the buses and you should always, always stay away from them.
One street that's particularly subject to pickpockets is via dei Cerretani (from the train station to the Duomo). In this area, little children, usually gypsies, are what you need to look out for. During the summer, one way to avoid their incredibly quick hands is to walk on the sunny side of the street. Pickpockets usually use the shady side because they have to "work" all day.
The police is usually powerless. Normal clothes cops patrol the streets, they spot the pickpockets and sometimes manage to stop them as they commit the crime. But the legal system in Italy doesn't work very well, and these kids are out again in no more than 48 hours.
Other top sites for pickpockets are Internet Cafes and Laundry rooms. In this second case, you might be approached by south American (Peru or Chile) women in their thirties: one of the two asks for help with a machine, you're kind enough to explain and naive enough to leave your purse sitting on the chair behind you! On July 17, 2002 I actually busted these two women robbing a young American college girl. The police officer that arrested them explained that they were part of a large band that pulls this kind of trick.
Another case: two northafrican looking men approach you on the street in the evening pretending they are drunk. One puts a hand on your shoulder and asks you how you'd react to this (he gently steps on one of your feet without hurting you): the act is made to distract you. Your attention goes to the first guy and your foot, so you don't notice or feel the second guy taking your wallet or cellular phone.
Another street case (NOT very common): a group of young gipsies surrounds you holding newspapers they claim they want to sell you. Eight quick hands will be searching your pockets in no time. Don't be defensive, be assertive: phisically push them away, they won't engage in phisical confrontation. No need to hurt anybody, just be resolute.