Which Paris Métro line has the most pickpockets in 2026?

Line 1 (yellow) — the tourist artery from La Défense through Champs-Élysées, Concorde, Louvre to Bastille. Line 4 (purple) and RER B (from CDG airport) are the next two. The Préfecture de Police's quarterly briefings have flagged these same lines consistently since 2019.

What is the 'petition-signature' scam?

A young woman approaches with a clipboard, asking 'do you speak English? Sign for the deaf children?'. While you read the petition, an accomplice reaches into your bag from behind. It's run at the surface entrances to Trocadéro, the Eiffel Tower, and around Sacré-Cœur. There are no real charities collecting signatures on Métro platforms — refuse all approaches.

How do I avoid being pickpocketed on the Paris Métro?

Bag worn on your front with a hand on top — this alone defeats most attempts. Phone and wallet in front trouser pockets, not back pockets or jacket pockets. Refuse all clipboard, ring-find, and map-out approaches. Stand back from train doors. Don't film with your phone out on the platform. Watch for huddles of 3-5 teenagers.

What do I do if my phone is stolen on the Métro?

Shout for the RATP agent on the platform (always a glass kiosk). Use Find My / Find My Device to lock the phone remotely — recovery is unlikely but the device can be bricked. File a plainte at any commissariat within 24 hours; pre-file online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr to speed up. Cancel any cards stored in the phone immediately.

Are children pickpocketing on the Paris Métro?

Yes — a significant share of organised Métro pickpocketing in Paris is carried out by minors, partly because French juvenile-justice processing is light. Teams of 3-5 children/teenagers working a single carriage is a known pattern; the choreography is the same as adult teams. Treat clusters of unaccompanied teenagers near the turnstiles or train doors as a signal to move.

Common Tourist Scams in Paris Métro (and How to Avoid Them)

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-21 · Part of the Paris Métro safety guide

If you're pickpocketed

On the platform: there is almost always an RATP agent in a glass kiosk; shout to them and they will radio the station police. A pickpocket who is still on the platform can sometimes be intercepted at the next exit.
The phone is gone: it's likely already at Stalingrad or Pigalle being passed up the chain. Apple Find My / Android Find My Device will show the route but will not recover the phone. Report the IMEI to the police anyway for insurance.
Plainte (police report): you have 24 hours to file at any commissariat. The "Pré-Plainte en Ligne" portal allows pre-filing online to speed up the in-person visit. English-speaking duty officers exist at the 1er, 18e, and Gare du Nord commissariats.
Card cancellation: your home bank's 24/7 line. Most cards are stopped within 10-15 minutes; fraudulent charges before the call are usually reimbursed.
Lost passport: your embassy; emergency travel documents take 24-48 hours. UK 01 44 51 31 00; US 01 43 12 22 22; Australia 01 40 59 33 00.
Insurance receipts: ask for a copy of the plainte (récépissé de dépôt de plainte) at the commissariat — insurers require it.

FAQ

Which Paris Métro line has the most pickpockets in 2026?: Line 1 (yellow) — the tourist artery from La Défense through Champs-Élysées, Concorde, Louvre to Bastille. Line 4 (purple) and RER B (from CDG airport) are the next two. The Préfecture de Police's quarterly briefings have flagged these same lines consistently since 2019.
What is the 'petition-signature' scam?: A young woman approaches with a clipboard, asking 'do you speak English? Sign for the deaf children?'. While you read the petition, an accomplice reaches into your bag from behind. It's run at the surface entrances to Trocadéro, the Eiffel Tower, and around Sacré-Cœur. There are no real charities collecting signatures on Métro platforms — refuse all approaches.
How do I avoid being pickpocketed on the Paris Métro?: Bag worn on your front with a hand on top — this alone defeats most attempts. Phone and wallet in front trouser pockets, not back pockets or jacket pockets. Refuse all clipboard, ring-find, and map-out approaches. Stand back from train doors. Don't film with your phone out on the platform. Watch for huddles of 3-5 teenagers.
What do I do if my phone is stolen on the Métro?: Shout for the RATP agent on the platform (always a glass kiosk). Use Find My / Find My Device to lock the phone remotely — recovery is unlikely but the device can be bricked. File a plainte at any commissariat within 24 hours; pre-file online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr to speed up. Cancel any cards stored in the phone immediately.
Are children pickpocketing on the Paris Métro?: Yes — a significant share of organised Métro pickpocketing in Paris is carried out by minors, partly because French juvenile-justice processing is light. Teams of 3-5 children/teenagers working a single carriage is a known pattern; the choreography is the same as adult teams. Treat clusters of unaccompanied teenagers near the turnstiles or train doors as a signal to move.

Read the full Paris Métro safety guide — score breakdown, every neighbourhood, all 4 sources →

Live Paris Métro safety score (updates daily) →

Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.