Pickpocket alert in Gran Canaria: tourist guides warn safety image is ‘worse than ever’
Tourist guides in Gran Canaria have issued a stark warning about a surge in pickpocketing across key areas for holidaymakers, saying the island’s reputation as a safe destination is now “worse than ever”.
The Association of Professional Tourist Guides of Gran Canaria reports that thefts have risen sharply in recent weeks, with November marking what they describe as a critical turning point.
Vice-president María Lezcano, who has worked as a guide for 25 years, said the situation has deteriorated rapidly despite concerns first emerging around three years ago.
Lezcano revealed she experienced four attempted thefts in just 30 minutes, and says the guides’ internal messaging groups report new incidents every single day. According to the professionals, thieves are blending in with tourists, often operating in pairs, carrying backpacks, wearing sunglasses and even using hire cars to move around the island unnoticed.
New “hotspots” emerging daily
Several busy tourist zones have now been identified as areas of greatest concern:
- Vegueta and the Santa Catalina cruise port in Las Palmas
- Santa Lucía de Tirajana, seeing a recent rise in thefts
- Teror, Arucas and Firgas, where local police say incidents occur “practically every day”
The Canary Police have confirmed that groups of pickpockets are acting in a coordinated manner and that alerts for thefts have increased significantly. Officers recently arrested a pickpocket wanted in Tarragona, who admitted that he, and others, had travelled to Gran Canaria specifically to commit theft.
Threat to the island’s image
Tourism professionals fear that continued crime could undermine one of the island’s greatest strengths — its long-held reputation as a safe, welcoming holiday destination. They are urging authorities to reinforce police presence and tackle organised pickpocketing before it causes lasting harm.
Visitors are being encouraged to remain vigilant, particularly in crowded attractions, markets, and cruise arrival zones, and to keep personal items secure at all times.
Share:
