Urgent tourist warning as popular island's airport rocked by crime wave (2025)

Brit tourists heading to one of Spain's most popular islands, Mallorca, need to be wary as soon as they step off the plane, as a crime wave is said to have erupted at the airport

A travel expert has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers planning a summer getaway to one of Spain's most popular destinations. Mallorca is the ideal escape for Brits looking to dodge the dreary weather, but travel influencer and expert Alex has flagged a significant concern tourists should be mindful of if they're eyeing a trip to Mallorca in Summer 2025.

With more than 20 years of travel industry experience, Alex has called Mallorca home since 2005 and regularly dishes out top tips, expert advice, travel recommendations, and holiday news on her YouTube channel Mallorca Under The Sun, which boasts nearly 43,000 subscribers.

In a recent video posted to her channel, Alex can be seen sitting outside the Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain as she issues a grim travel warning to holidaymakers.

Pickpocketing is the issue plaguing travellers visiting Mallorca, especially in crowded areas like the airport, the beach, and party hotspots — all of which see a large tourist footfall over the course of a day.

In her video, Alex talks about a subscriber, Joan, who commented on one of the creator’s previous clips and shared a harrowing pickpocket experience she faced at Palma de Mallorca Airport just before midday on April 7, despite being aware of the pickpocket risk and having heeded Alex's prior travel warnings about thieves in the area.

Joan described how she was robbed of her wallet which was kept in a ‘secret zip section’ in her handbag in a matter of seconds, while trying to alight a bus from one of the airport’s bus stops. And Joan isn’t the only one with a horror tale of getting pickpocketed in Mallorca.

One traveller shared their experience on TripAdvisor, cautioning: “Arrived in Palma for our family holiday. We have been to Mallorca 5 times already and love it here. This experience however has spoilt it all. On the bus from the airport to Palma city centre I had my wallet stolen from a fastened pocket. All cards and cash gone, left stranded in Palma with a 3 and 8 year old and not a penny to get to our holiday resort.

“Police station was a 40 minute walk with cases to then have a 4 hour wait to get a crime number for my insurance. Police station full of people in the same situation, there is a big problem in this city and the police do not want to know about it. In my report they didn’t even ask for a description of the people who had done it. This is clearly being swept under the carpet and something needs to change. Spoilt my opinion of a beautiful island.”

Another comment on Reddit reads: “Someone in my family had their wallet stolen there two years ago. It happened near the cathedral in Palma. With us at the police station were also three girls from the Netherlands who had their personal belongings stolen from the beach, I think El Arenal.”

Tips for guarding against pickpockets:

• Ensure wallets, mobiles, and valuables are stowed in internal pockets or worn with money belts rather than being slipped into rear or side pockets.
• It's worth considering anti-theft bags with slash-proof straps, locking zippers, and RFID-blocking compartments to prevent both electronic and physical theft.
• When carrying your bag, sling it across your body and position it in front so that openings face inward or against your body.
• Be extra vigilant in bustling spots like public transport, hot tourist spots, and busy markets – they’re the favourite playgrounds of pickpockets.
• Only take essentials out with you for the day, and store any non-essential valuables securely, such as in a hotel safe.
• Distribute your cash and cards in various secure places so if one stash gets nicked, you won't be left penniless and will still have access to some funds.
• Exercise utmost caution if someone tries to distract you with odd behaviour or physical touch, as this has proven to be a common pickpocketing tactic.
• Opt for front pockets over back pockets to store valuables – they're tougher to steal from.
• Ensure your phone, camera, and other pricey possessions are tucked away when not in use to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
• If you need to carry a backpack, think about securing the zippers with a small padlock or wearing it on your front in crowded places.