They actually warn you on the plane, when headed for Italy, that the pick-pocketing is rampant there.
The funny part about my sister and brother-in-law, is that my sister got picked right in the airport just after they landed...and my b in law was 'scolding' her about being more careful. He got the vid-cam going and was actually filming these kids in action...and while he was doing it...HE got picked. LOL...but my sister yelled to him, so he caught him before he made off with anything. They have a newspaper folded over their arm while they do this. So for the rest of their stay there, they were on high alert.