How to Avoid Pickpockets in Delhi: Phone & Wallet Safety
Where pickpockets work in Delhi, from metro gates and interchanges to Chandni Chowk, and five simple habits that keep your phone and wallet safe.
Pickpocketing in Delhi happens mostly in crowds: metro interchanges at rush hour, Chandni Chowk and other old bazaars, bus terminals and festival crowds. Carry your bag in front with the zip closed, keep your phone in a front or zipped pocket, split your cash and cards, and leave your passport in the hotel safe with a copy on your phone. If something is taken, block the phone on the government's Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) portal and file a police report.
None of this means Delhi is unusually bad. The same habits that work in Rome or Barcelona work here; the crowds are just denser.
Where pickpockets work
| Place | Why it is a hotspot | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Metro interchanges (Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, New Delhi) | Pushing at the doors and gates at rush hour | Avoid 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM with luggage; hold your bag in front as you board |
| Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi lanes | Narrow lanes, constant shoulder contact, distractions | Small bag worn in front; phone away while walking; see the Chandni Chowk guide |
| Sarojini Nagar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar markets | Weekend crowds and people focused on shopping | Shop with one hand free and the bag zipped |
| Railway stations and bus terminals | Crowds, luggage and confusion | Keep valuables on your body, not in the bag you put down; see the NDLS guide |
| Festivals and big events | Very dense crowds | Carry only what you need for the evening |
| Shoe counters at temples and mosques | You are distracted taking shoes off | Keep your phone and wallet on you, not in the shoe bag |
Seven habits that work
- Bag in front, zip closed. In crowds, wear a crossbody bag at the front with your hand on the zip. On a crowded metro, wear a backpack on your chest.
- Phone in a front or zipped pocket. The back pocket of jeans is the easiest target. Avoid walking along a crowded lane with your phone held loosely at your side.
- Split your money. Keep a small amount of cash for the day in one pocket and your main cards elsewhere, or in the hotel safe. UPI and cards work almost everywhere, so you rarely need much cash.
- Passport stays in the safe. Carry a photo of the passport and visa on your phone and a paper copy. Hotels sometimes ask for the original at check-in; get it back straight away.
- Watch for set-ups. A stranger spilling something on you, a sudden argument, someone asking you to take a photo while a second person stands close: step away and check your pockets.
- Step aside to use your phone. If you need maps, move to a wall or shop front instead of stopping in the middle of a crowd.
- Use the metro women's coach if you are a woman travelling alone at busy times; it is far less crowded than the general coaches.
If something is stolen
- Phone: lock and locate it with Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device, then block it on the Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) portal at ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in. Blocking the IMEI makes the phone unusable on Indian networks even with a new SIM. You need the IMEI (it is on the box or invoice, and dialling *#06# shows it) and the details of your police report.
- Police report: go to the nearest police station, or report theft at the metro station's police post, and ask for a copy of the report. You will need it for insurance, your embassy and the CEIR request.
- Cards: call your bank to block them; most banking apps let you freeze a card instantly.
- Passport: contact your embassy with the police report.
- Emergencies: call 112. The tourist helpline 1363 gives advice in English and other languages. See the full list of Delhi emergency numbers.
“My phone was stolen in Chandni Chowk. What should I do first, and how do I file a police report as a tourist?”
FAQ
Are there many pickpockets in Delhi?
Pickpocketing is common in crowded places such as metro interchanges, Old Delhi markets and stations, as in any big city. Simple habits, like carrying your bag in front and your phone in a front pocket, prevent most thefts.
Is the Delhi Metro safe from pickpockets?
Mostly. The risk is at the busiest interchanges during rush hour, especially at the doors and gates. Hold your bag in front and avoid peak hours if you have luggage.
Should I carry my passport in Delhi?
No. Keep it in the hotel safe and carry a copy. You may need the original at hotel check-in, for a SIM card or for some ticket counters, so bring it only on those days.
What should I do if my phone is stolen in Delhi?
Lock it with Find My, block it on the Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) portal using its IMEI, and file a police report. Call 112 in an emergency.
Sources and verification
Checked on 26 October 2026.
- CEIR, Sanchar Saathi (Department of Telecommunications) – blocking lost or stolen phones
- Croma: how to block a lost phone with Sanchar Saathi – IMEI and police details needed
- Consulate General of India, Edinburgh: 24x7 tourist helpline – 1363
Hotspots are based on common traveller reports, not police statistics.