Hi Karin, We know that always is awkward to lost or get stole some belonging that's why we're sad that it happened with you also it could affect in your experience. The advise that Helen (Tour guide) gave in advance about that Valparaiso is a big port city which pickpocketing can be a common crime as most of the big cities and ports in the world. Be more specific of what to do with each belonging is very difficult, so the aware is in general ''Valparaiso crime (pickpocketing) is high'' so you be aware!!. In fact the aware is more exaggerate that reality because in 5 years that we have running this tour daily, we didn't have any other event like this with our groups. Is common known but important to emphasize that in big cities as New York, Paris, Rome exist opportunistic thieves, waiting for oversights. If it would happened in Viña del Mar you would think that Viña del Mar in unsafe and actually is more common this kind or robs in Viña because people feel relax and neglect they belongings. Also to clarify, do shopping in Viña del Mar is the same of do Shopping in a big mall in Santiago. The interesting place to shopping are in Valparaiso. Best regards!!!