How risky is it to move around in Italy? Apart from pick-pocketing is there mugging too?

I've lived in Italy for the past 11 years and go out exploring on the weekends and holidays often. I've taken many, many night trains and never have had a problem of any sort. I often take trains late at night and haven't had any problems in or around any of the stations or walking through town. There are pickpockets in Italy just as there are in any heavily populated area where there are a lot of tourists. Violent crime is rare here though. When you're sleeping on a train, you should lock the door - it's a normal precaution that you would take anywhere. You should be aware of your surroundings and not set a camera down and walk away from it, for instance. But that's true anywhere you might go in the world.

I've been to Italy three times and I think that most of what you've written is grossly exaggerated.

I've never seen luggage strapped to overhead bins in trains, and certainly never needed to worry about things being stolen from the hotel room - if there's a safe, use it. In any case, if you have heavy luggage, they aren't going to be able to run away with it very fast, certainly not on a train!

And you always lock your bedroom door at night - duh. If you're on a ground floor, close the window and lock it. One of the things you should do when booking accommodation ahead of time is check how people rate the security of the place.

As regards mugging near railway stations, if you are on your own late at night, you would be more at risk, and this is not limited to Italy. It happens everywhere. Best thing to do is go out with friends, and don't carry expensive things like laptops, big cameras, ipods, or wads of cash ....

Pickpockets, unfortunately, are rife. Keep all of your documents and wallet in a pouch in front of you, don't get into a lift/elevator or any tight space with people you don't know, pickpockets often work in groups, some distract you while another one picks your pocket or belt bag, this happens a lot in many places, especially on public transport. Keep your hand on your belt bag pouch at all times, and keep your rucksack or bag in front of you where you can see it. Pickpockets don't normally want trouble, so won't risk getting caught in the act, so if they see you are not easily distracted, they'll leave you alone. But you should be aware that they move very very fast and are very very deft, and only need half a second to lift an MP3 player from a side pocket.

It's a good idea to make a photocopy or scan of your passport, and have copies of your other travel documents both in your suitcase and also have them in a special folder in your e-mail online, so that if you do find yourself stuck abroad without your documents, you can always go to the police, explain what happened and ask to use the Internet to get your copies down for the Embassy.

I have to say though that the only thing I ever experienced that was an attempt to pick my pocket, but it was in Spain, not Italy. That said, you need to be careful everywhere. I find that locals constantly warn people to mind their belongings, so everyone is kind of being careful, you know?

For goodness sake....sigh..! Stay at home, you'll never be relaxed enough to enjoy the charms of Italy.