VIDEO: Pickpockets caught stealing from holidaymakers in Tenerife
Pickpocketing remains the most frequently reported crime in the Canary Islands, particularly in busy tourist and coastal areas. Despite repeated police warnings, organised thefts targeting visitors are still taking place in full view of the public.
The latest incident, captured on video by a witness, shows exactly how professional pickpockets operate. Two women were filmed stealing from a tourist in the coastal municipality of Santiago del Teide, near the marina in Los Gigantes, close to the Poblado Marinero area.
The footage reveals a coordinated and deliberate method. Approaching the victims from behind, one of the women quietly opened the tourist’s backpack and searched for valuables or a wallet. At the same time, her accomplice unfolded a jacket and positioned it to block the view of other tourists, effectively concealing the theft as it happened.
Police sources say this type of distraction and cover technique has been used for decades. For almost 25 years, pickpocket gangs have taken advantage of crowded areas, scenic viewpoints and moments when visitors are distracted, stealing cash, documents and personal belongings before disappearing into the crowd.
The problem intensifies between November and April, when Tenerife experiences its busiest tourism season while many other Mediterranean destinations are quieter. This seasonal surge has prompted the Guardia Civil and the National Police to carry out annual operations such as Operation Danubio, aimed at identifying and dismantling organised pickpocketing networks.
According to investigators, many of those involved are professional thieves, including people from Eastern Europe, particularly Romania, all specialising in thefts from tourists.
Authorities are once again urging visitors and residents to remain alert, keep bags closed and in front of the body, avoid carrying large sums of cash and be wary of strangers who invade personal space.
Anyone who witnesses a theft or realises they have been targeted is advised to contact the police immediately, as quick reporting can increase the chances of identifying the suspects.
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