Where ever there is a crowd regardless of the city, town, site or country there are bound to be pickpockets as you may know already. As you mentioned be cautious, and not paranoid so you can enjoy your visit. We felt safe visiting Pompeii. Just take extra precaution on the train and everywhere and you will be good.

While the archaeological site of Pompeii itself is generally safer than the crowded streets of nearby Naples, pickpockets do operate in the area, particularly at the main entrances and near high-traffic landmarks like the Forum. In 2026, the primary risk for tourists is not at the ruins themselves, but on the Circumvesuviana train that runs from Naples to Pompeii Scavi. This train is notorious for opportunistic thieves who take advantage of distracted, jet-lagged travelers carrying heavy bags. Once inside the park, the open spaces and presence of security personnel make theft less common, but the "crowd crush" at the main gates remains a hotspot. Travel experts recommend wearing your bag on your front and avoiding "distraction" tactics, such as strangers asking for help with a map or accidentally bumping into you, which are common methods used by handsy thieves in the Campania region.