Venice is a relatively safe city, there is not much violent crime. Pick-pocketing is probably the main problem for tourists, but even that is less common than in other Italian cities. Around the station and Piazzale Roma be careful of people offering to carry your suitcases. They are very persistent and will sometimes grab your bag and carry it over the bridge before demanding money (often quite a bit). They work in small groups and some might pick pocket you while you are distracted. Inside the station, pickpockets are rife and they watch carefully where people put their purses away after purchasing tickets. Katie once put a very cheap ticket for a short journey on a local train in her back pocket and someone stole it; apparently they then use this to ride a train and pick some more pockets! The main waterbus lines, such as number 1, are often very packed, so be careful with your money there too. Be aware of people putting flowers in your hand or leaving small items on your table when you’re sitting at a café, as they will then demand money for them. There are also often people dressed up in carnival costumes who will demand money if you take a photo with them – we once saw one demand 10 euros each from a couple of American tourists – and amazingly they paid!