The top 10 destinations where UK holidaymakers are most likely to have their possessions stolen

The 10 countries where British holidaymakers are most likely to be victims of theft or robbery have been revealed – and Spain tops the list.

These findings come from insurance company True Traveler, which analyzed theft and robbery claims from Britons in 2022.

Spain is number 1 for theft or robbery, accounting for one in ten claims (12.7 percent). In second place is Mexico (10.3 percent) and Colombia comes in third (8.8 percent).

Peru ranks fourth, where 8.5 percent of the world’s thefts are against British holidaymakers, followed by Indonesia in fifth (7 percent), Argentina in sixth (5.7 percent) and the US in second place. seventh place (5.3 percent). ).

Eighth is Brazil, where 4.5 percent of the claimed thefts occurred, followed by Canada (ninth, 3.7 percent) and Costa Rica (10th, 3.5 percent).

More than one in ten thefts and robberies of British tourists around the world took place in Spain (12.7 per cent) and Mexico (over 10.3 per cent).

True Traveler says its clients often travel ‘to faraway places than other insurers’, suggesting the stats paint a broader picture of the risks faced by UK holidaymakers globally.

Theft and robbery were the most common crime-related claims from British holidaymakers, accounting for almost a third (32 per cent) of lost luggage claims, with the remainder being lost or broken items.

British tourists are most likely to be targeted at transport hubs, while thefts from hotel rooms are rare, the data shows.

Tim Riley, general manager of Real travellersaid: ‘By far the highest places where the thefts take place are bus stations, train stations or airports.

‘Thefts from hotel rooms, on the other hand, are rare. Thefts from restaurants are even higher from hotels. However, it should be noted that hotel thefts can be reported by customers as losses, not thefts.

“For bus stations, airports, and so on, it’s just the fact that people put their daypacks on the ground, and someone comes along and steals it from behind or causes a commotion elsewhere in the airport, so people look away from their belongings.

“While I see so many of these claims cases coming in, I’m convinced someone is going to steal my stuff when I’m at an airport or waiting for a bus outside an airport to go to the car rental company. I’m very alert.’

In third place is Colombia, home to Tayrona National Park, pictured above

Peru, home to Machu Picchu, pictured above, ranks fourth in the theft rankings

The company has several tips to avoid becoming a victim of theft and robbery while on holiday, such as ‘stocking up’ to spread the risk.

It says: ‘KKeep a credit card and a £50 note hidden and separate from your main stash.

‘Putting a credit card between two pages in a travel guide is an idea. Local thieves never steal travel guides.’

Keeping cash and cards in a money belt can also help prevent theft because ‘no one’ will be able to steal them without you knowing,” says True Traveler.

Other ways to reduce the risk are to carry no more than £200 at a time and use the hotel safe to store extra cash, cards and other valuables.If there’s no safe in your room, there’s one at reception.’

To prevent your bag from being snatched from under your nose in a restaurant or café, according to True Traveler, “put a bag strap around your foot.”

Another technique is to avoid looking “lost or too flashy” on vacation.

“If you’re standing on the street corner looking at your shiny iPhone 13, with your new camera around your neck, looking lost, you’re being looked at,” the insurance company said.

“Do some research before you head out, and be careful if you get lost, and act appropriately.

“Try to make this a habit, whichever country you travel in.”

TOP TIPS TO AVOID YOUR HOLIDAY ASSETS FROM BEING STOLEN

Keep a stock: Keep a credit card and a £50 note hidden and separate from your main stash. Selling a credit card between two pages in a travel guide is an idea. Local thieves never steal travel guides.

Money belts: When traveling on trains, buses, etc., put your passport, cash, and cards in your money belt. No one will be able to steal them without you knowing.

Cash: It makes no sense to carry more than £200 or so in cash on you at any one time. Just use your card and get extra cash from an ATM.

Use the safe: If there is no safe in your room, there is one at the reception. Use it and put your cash, cards and passport in it, and your camera and laptop even when you’re not using them. Then just go out during the day with a small amount of cash and one credit card.

Stay vigilant: In restaurants, put your things under the table, but secure them – maybe put a strap from your bag around your foot.

Make sure you don’t look lost or flashy: If you’re standing on a street corner looking at your shiny iPhone 13, with your new camera around your neck, looking lost, you’re being watched. Do a little research before going out, and be careful if you get lost, and act appropriately. Try to make this a habit no matter what country you are traveling in.

Source: Real traveller