Safety in Spain
There are only really two forms of crime to be concerned about in Spain. The first is passport theft which is becoming more common, since demand from potential illegal immigrants in Africa has fuelled the creation of a lucrative passport black-market. If one’s passport is stolen then one should immediately report it to the local embassy and have the passport reissued. Very few people need to see your passport, so don’t show it to anyone unless they are employed in an official government capacity.
Tourists are targets for crime in Spain, and pick-pocketing is rife in the some crowded areas of Madrid and Barcelona. Keep your valuables in front of your body or locked securely away. If someone bumps into one, it is worth paying attention to where their hands are wandering, as they may be searching for valuables.
It is also worth finding out what a given taxi ride should cost before getting into one. Some of the locals take a perverse pride in ripping off ignorant tourists.
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