Pensioners warned as 20 pickpockets cause chaos on Spanish island loved by UK tourists

By Max Parry, News Reporter

Senior tourist couple discovering missing wallet (Image: Getty)

The Majorcan capital, Palma, is heaving with pickpockets, according to street vendors, and pensioners and older travellers are said to be particularly vulnerable to the threat. The city is exceptionally popular with UK tourists, so Brits planning to visit should be wary of those trying to walk off with their personal belongings.

Stallholders at the Hort del Rei artisan market in Palma's Almudaina Palace and Cathedral area believe that there as many as 20 pickpockets who regularly operate there.

The Cathedral is one of the areas pickpockets are said to target (Image: Getty)

Cruise passengers are particular targets for the pickpockets, according to Majorca Daily Bulletin.

The outlet reported that one street vendor claiming: "It's always the same people and they do it with complete impunity". 

The source added: "They come here every day and take advantage of the massive influx of cruise passengers to go after them."

A person stealing a phone (Image: Getty)

Another vendor added: "What's shameful is that the authorities are dedicated to persecuting illegal sellers. The poor are just looking for a way to survive. They warn us when pickpockets appear."

Elderly cruise ship passengers are reportedly especially vulnerable.

Like other tourists, they typically have bags or backpacks with them, and experienced pickpockets can quickly steal from them.

The stallholder told the outlet that the pickpockets usually carry something like a map or a jacket, which can hide what may be stolen, "and empty a wallet in a flash".