Three people have been arrested on suspicion of pickpocketing tourists in Valldemossa, Majorca. The Guardia Civil detained the three individuals, who come from Eastern European countries, after an investigation into a rise in thefts targeting visitors to the town.
The suspects allegedly took advantage of their victims' distraction to steal belongings while they were not paying attention. Stolen items included bank cards, which were reportedly used to make cash withdrawals.
Investigation and arrests
The Guardia Civil began the investigation in early October after detecting an increase in thefts targeting tourists in Valldemossa. Investigators found that the alleged perpetrators had multiple criminal records for similar crimes.
According to reports from Majorca Daily Bulletin, the people had allegedly moved to other parts of the island after a decline in tourist numbers. They reportedly relocated to various tourist resorts in the Serra de Tramuntana to steal from tourists, and after completing the thefts, they would head to nearby cash machines to withdraw money from the stolen bank cards.
Charges and recovery
The Guardia Civil in Esporles arrested the three people for committing four counts of theft and four counts of bank fraud. Authorities managed to recover approximately 5,000 euros. The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility that further arrests could be made.
Valldemossa is the highest town in the Balearic Islands and is popular with tourists due to its rich history and natural environment. The picturesque village is recognised by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage in the cultural landscape category.
Rising crime in Majorca
In Majorca generally, recent reports warn of rising crime levels in the popular holiday hotspot. The number of criminal offences in the Balearics over the first six months of 2026 was 40,494, marking an increase of 7.9% compared with the first half of 2025, according to the Ministry of the Interior's Balance of Criminality Report. Majorca has been especially hard hit, with the island accounting for 32,812 of all offences – an increase of more than 10%, reports Majorca Daily Bulletin.
