Re: The pickpockets in Barca, particularly Las Ramblas (L.R.)
I know two lads who have been in the last three months. Both are well travelled and neither are wet behind the ears. I warned both about L.R. before they went.
One of them, a 24 year old and his mate, heavily outnumbered had a knife pulled on them and lost a mobile, Euros etc.
The same thing almost happenned to another guy and his girl (you'll know him from Pendlebury News, Don). Fortunately, he knew what was coming and didn't let the prostitutes,pimps & thieves crowd round him. A lucky escape by all accounts.
I was speaking to a lad who watched Celtic with his girl a few years ago. Trust me there was 5/6 handy lads in their group and they almost got utnumbered and trapped down an alleyway off L.R.
It's well documented to be vigilant about watching valuables. Therefore the pickpockets are turning increasingly violent to have people over.
Last thing I want to do is scaremonger, but be really, really careful, especially round Las Ramblas. Some of these people have no morals whatsoever and will see us as rich pickings after dark.