Hey Peeps,
Holiday season is once again around the corner, and In the majority of cases, tourists return from holiday with great memories and possibly a bit of a tan. But as constant reports of thefts and crimes in some touristy destinations show, some of us have more negative experiences.
When we’re the victim of a crime on holiday, it can ruin the entire experience, leaving us with an everlasting bad impression of the country we were in. There’s no need to let fear of being victim of a crime ruin your well-deserved break, but there are a few things holidaymakers can do to reduce their chance of becoming a crime statistic. Here are our guidelines to staying vigilant abroad...
Keep safe from street crime
Tourists are an obvious target for pickpockets – they’re often loaded with valuables, from digital cameras, mobile phones and MP3 players to large wads of local currency. Thieves want as small a challenge as possible so valuables in back pockets and open or unsecure bags will make you an obvious target. Choose a bag that sits in front of you where you can always see it – and if you have a backpack, wear it on your front in areas where you’re crammed in with other people.
Padlock suitcases and backpacks if possible and keep a close eye on them at tourist sites and on public transport, at airports and bus stations. Often thieves are opportunists so don’t make anything easy for them.
Pickpockets tend to operate in busy areas, like city centres and busy tourist attractions, so stay vigilant.
Tourists are an obvious target for pickpockets – they’re often loaded with valuables, from digital cameras, mobile phones and MP3 players to large wads of local currency. Thieves want as small a challenge as possible so valuables in back pockets and open or unsecure bags will make you an obvious target. Choose a bag that sits in front of you where you can always see it – and if you have a backpack, wear it on your front in areas where you’re crammed in with other people.
Padlock suitcases and backpacks if possible and keep a close eye on them at tourist sites and on public transport, at airports and bus stations. Often thieves are opportunists so don’t make anything easy for them.
Pickpockets tend to operate in busy areas, like city centres and busy tourist attractions, so stay vigilant.
Avoid personal attacks
By the same token, don’t go out your way to avoid busy areas. The more serious crimes – like muggings or sex attacks – are more likely to occur in isolated areas or deserted beaches.
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches – especially in destinations where locals are comparatively worse off, and try not to frequent the same places at the same time every day, as it makes it easier for potential attackers if they know your routine.
Use your common sense and trust your instincts - don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home such as accepting drinks from strangers or leaving your own drink unattended, and never walk anywhere by yourself, especially at night. Only use official, licensed taxis as it’s not unheard of in some destinations for drivers to mug passengers by driving them to an ATM and forcing them to withdraw large quantities of cash.
By the same token, don’t go out your way to avoid busy areas. The more serious crimes – like muggings or sex attacks – are more likely to occur in isolated areas or deserted beaches.
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches – especially in destinations where locals are comparatively worse off, and try not to frequent the same places at the same time every day, as it makes it easier for potential attackers if they know your routine.
Use your common sense and trust your instincts - don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home such as accepting drinks from strangers or leaving your own drink unattended, and never walk anywhere by yourself, especially at night. Only use official, licensed taxis as it’s not unheard of in some destinations for drivers to mug passengers by driving them to an ATM and forcing them to withdraw large quantities of cash.
Don’t get yourself into trouble
In some destinations you are in more danger of inadvertently committing a crime than you are of being a victim of one. You need to find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws.
Countries with strict laws about acceptable behaviour include popular tourist destinations Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and this includes things as seemingly harmless as kissing in public and wearing revealing summer clothing. Even if your offence isn’t serious enough to get you into trouble with the law, you might risk offending locals, which could get you into trouble. Even an angry ticking off from a local can ruin your day, when you’re supposed to be relaxing and having fun.
In some destinations you are in more danger of inadvertently committing a crime than you are of being a victim of one. You need to find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws.
Countries with strict laws about acceptable behaviour include popular tourist destinations Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and this includes things as seemingly harmless as kissing in public and wearing revealing summer clothing. Even if your offence isn’t serious enough to get you into trouble with the law, you might risk offending locals, which could get you into trouble. Even an angry ticking off from a local can ruin your day, when you’re supposed to be relaxing and having fun.
Get into these habits
Don’t let crime ruin your holiday – here are some good habits to get into, whatever your destination…
• Check the Foreign Office website for safety information in that country.
• Store numbers for the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate in your mobile phone.
• Photocopy your passport and leave the copy with someone at home, and keep another copy with you on your travels – in a separate place to your passport. This will make it easier to sort should your passport get stolen.
• If you take a lot of cash keep it in two separate wallets, and if you have more than one debit and credit card, keep those separate too.
• If you’ve time to pop into an internet café occasionally and email your photos to yourself. That way if you lose your camera you should at least have some of your memories rescued.
• Always take travel insurance. If you go on several trips a year think about taking an annual policy – it will save you a lot in the long run.
Don’t let crime ruin your holiday – here are some good habits to get into, whatever your destination…
• Check the Foreign Office website for safety information in that country.
• Store numbers for the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate in your mobile phone.
• Photocopy your passport and leave the copy with someone at home, and keep another copy with you on your travels – in a separate place to your passport. This will make it easier to sort should your passport get stolen.
• If you take a lot of cash keep it in two separate wallets, and if you have more than one debit and credit card, keep those separate too.
• If you’ve time to pop into an internet café occasionally and email your photos to yourself. That way if you lose your camera you should at least have some of your memories rescued.
• Always take travel insurance. If you go on several trips a year think about taking an annual policy – it will save you a lot in the long run.
Until da next Tyme
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