On my way to the Madrid airport, I had my bag stolen, losing my MacBook, AirPods and passport. When I was trapped in Madrid, waiting for the U.S. embassy to open, I began to think about how, in three months, I had witnessed more theft in Europe than in my 20 years in the United States.
From phone snatchers to pickpockets, Europe is filled with strong crime networks for petty theft. However, these crime networks did not spring up out of nowhere; European customs and history have enabled them to prosper. The treasured qualities of Europe, historically, culturally and economically, that make the continent so desirable are the same ones that permit crime.
In many major European cities, petty theft has long been a cultural norm. For example, as Britain industrialized in the 19th century, people moved from rural areas into large urban centers. As a result, crime began to increase, with petty theft becoming the most common crime. However, the media focused on more sensationalized crimes, such as Jack the Ripper, even though violent crimes were never statistically significant. With little media focus on the petty theft epidemic, it became something regular. Getting your purse swiped away on the street would not lead to a big investigation; rather, it was simply an inconvenience the victim had to deal with.
This indifference has not changed over time. The most charming parts of European cities, such as walkability, density and openness, make them the perfect spot for pickpockets. For example, the European Pickpocketing Index collects data from traveler review websites for mentions of “pickpocketing” or “stolen.” They found the most prevalent location was Italy, with 478 mentions per million visitors. The second most prevalent was France, with 251 mentions. Little has been done to combat this problem, as pickpocketing rates have only increased over time. This indicates that Europe is not concerned about its petty theft epidemic and would rather ignore it than address it.
The problem of petty theft is not just in cities; it is also promoted by EU law. Many European laws are lenient on theft, with crimes below a few hundred euros not heavily prosecuted. In France, for theft under €300, proceedings can be terminated if the thief pays a fine of €300 or replaces the stolen goods. In Spain, theft of goods worth less than €400 can result in community service or a fine. These lenient laws make petty theft a low-risk, high-reward crime. Stealing a purse will not ruin your life, and getting away with it could be your next couple of meals.
It is not only policy that permits theft, but also culture, making it the norm. Europeans are content living within disorder. In cities built for pedestrians, not police cars, theft is a small sacrifice. Minor transgressions are tolerated because it is better to live with inconveniences than to militarize daily life.
In contrast, the United States has far less pickpocketing than Europe does. Most petty theft in the United States involves shoplifting from major retail stores. Tourists and individuals are far less targeted. This stems from differences between European and American cultures. American cities are car-dependent and far less walkable, creating less densely packed areas for people to steal slyly. Further, private property rights are something fundamental to America. Stealing is viewed as a threat to American ideals, not as an inconvenience. American laws reflect this difference, often being more punitive than European laws. Petty theft is a misdemeanor, which can result in fines up to $2000 or up to 12 months of jail time. In addition, the legal threshold for a felony theft is very low in some states. For example, in New Jersey, a theft of $500 could result in three to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000 or double the victim’s losses.
In the United States, individualism is praised and prioritized. However, Europe focuses on the quality of life and living together. Despite the thefts, cafes are unguarded and public transport is open. To Europeans, the freedom from control is more valuable than freedom from risk. Losing my bag in Madrid was a lesson in Europe’s contradictions. The same openness that lets a thief reach into your purse is what allows the rhythm of city life to continue unguarded.
Abby Hernan is a junior, majoring in political science and applied & computational mathematics and statistics, from Orlando, Florida. She is currently studying abroad in London and is excited for her semester out of South Bend. When not writing for The Observer, you can find her buying overpriced coffee, scrolling through X or roaming the halls of Lewis. Reach out to ahernan@nd.edu.
