Is pickpocketing a problem in Morocco?

Let me be honest and proportionate: yes, pickpocketing and opportunistic petty theft exist in Morocco, and they are statistically the crime you are most likely to brush up against as a tourist — far more so than anything violent, which remains rare. But 'exists' is not the same as 'rampant.' The overwhelming majority of visitors never lose a thing, and the incidents that do happen are concentrated in entirely predictable places: the crush of a busy medina, packed squares like Jemaa el-Fnaa, crowded markets, festivals and transport at peak times. Distraction and density are the pickpocket's tools.

Because it is so predictable, it is also very preventable, and the precautions are the same ones a savvy traveller uses in Barcelona, Rome or Paris — cities with worse pickpocketing reputations than anywhere in Morocco, frankly. Carry only what you need for the day and leave passports and spare cards in the riad safe. Keep your phone and wallet in a front or inside pocket, not a back pocket or an open tote, and swing a backpack around to your front in dense crowds. A cross-body bag worn in front, zipped, is the single best piece of kit. Money belts under clothing suit the nervous.

The technique to watch for is the staged distraction: someone bumps you, a 'helpful' stranger points out a mark on your jacket, a sudden commotion erupts, a child tugs your sleeve — and while your attention is elsewhere, a second pair of hands works. Knowing the pattern defuses it; if you suddenly feel crowded or distracted in a tight space, that is exactly the moment to put a hand on your bag and your valuables. Be a little extra alert getting on and off crowded buses and trams, the classic snatch points.

My honest framing: treat it the way you would treat any busy world city — aware, not anxious. Split your money across pockets so a single loss is not catastrophic, photograph or photocopy your documents, and keep your phone tethered or in a secure pocket rather than loose in your hand for a thief on a moped. Do that and the odds tip overwhelmingly in your favour. The friendliness you will encounter vastly outweighs the small minority looking for an easy mark.