Seen a lot about people being pick pocketed or mugged in Amsterdam. Any tips to not have this happen any advice is greatly appreciated.

Don't get too drunk or too stoned.

Limit the amount of cash you carry.

Keep cash/cards/documents in a secure pocket, or something like a money belt. Or even your shoe.

Be wary of people distracting you in crowds.

Don't be tempted by people trying to sell you drugs on the street.

Walk and speak confidently. Look like you know where you are going even if you don't.

I had reason to be in a politie station late at night a year or two ago. There were a number of young women who'd had their bags lifted after hanging them on the backs of chairs in bars - seemed like the same perp was responsible. I know of a woman who had her purse taken from her handbag while passing through a group of schoolchildren on Damrak.

I've been subject to sudden and unprovoked violence (no robbery) only once in many, many visits, and have very rarely seen violence when I've been in Amsterdam. Aggressive begging can be a nuisance, street dealers can be a little menacing - let them know you are not interested, do not engage them further, just walk away, into a place of business if necessary.

In addition to what hedgehog wrote, I even leave my wallet at the hotel. I bring a pocket of cash for the night and otherwise my pockets are empty - except for my phone, a joint, and a lighter. If I get into any trouble (hasn't happened yet), that will limit my losses. But, yes, walk and talk confidently and ignore anyone trying to sell you anything (who isn't behind a pane of glass, that is).

In 20+ years of visits i've never had an issue except being followed at 5am one morning when walking to the train station when there were very few people around. I simply diverted into a hotel entrance for a few minutes.

I've noticed when I walk around the RLD and center alone I get very little attention from the dealers etc as I know where i'm heading and they probably assume I live there.

When offered crack/heroine/ecstasy etc by dealers I've always found a polite 'No thanks, mate' causes no offence and they move away.

Watch for the common double beggar distraction tricks re bar etc thefts.

It's no different really to any of the worlds large cities. Just keep cash etc in a front jeans pocket and don't look to invite problems.

one thing i think needs to be added is don't be a paranoid mess!

it's been said in other words above, but that is very important, and probably sound advice for travelling anywhere in the world. be confident yet aware of your surroundings. there's that age-old saying (i think from the dune series was the first time i saw it) "fear is the mind killer".

if you wander around looking lost / scared / worried about encounters you're more likely going to attract bad folk.

i've encountered dickheads in amsterdam, but nothing more serious than anywhere else. i'd personally say paris, or prague, is more "edgy" at night. shit, two people got murdered - stabbed to death - around the corner from my ex girlfriend's flat in my home city, just over 24 hours ago. there is bad people everywhere. amsterdam is not exclusive to a mugging problem, especially since most of the bridge trolls seem to have disappeared.

My home town is so rough that I think it's way safer in Amsterdam, in the main touristy area anyway.

Where I live there are streets sealed off with police "crime scene" tape all the time. It's rare when somebody hasn't been shot, stabbed or violently attacked in some other way. Houses get firebombed, windows shot through etc..

Still, in Amsterdam there's always the 0.00001% chance of running into trouble out of nowhere though, but this can happen anywhere, anytime. Just make sure to take a detour if you see a group of people arguing, or a gang hanging around off the beaten track. Other than that, just do your thing.