UK Holidaymakers Make Easy Prey

We all deserve a break every now and then and many of us look forward to our holidays for months. However, the best planned vacation can be ruined when you are robbed.

It seems this is a big problem for us, as British people on holiday lost out to the tune of £200 million through holiday thefts last year, a travel insurance poll has revealed.

Around ten per cent of all British holidaymakers have become victims of crime abroad, with the majority of thefts happening in hotels, says the travel insurance survey. A fifth of all victims of holiday crime said that they had been confronted in the street.

"Although we're all aware of the risks of foreign travel, when we're actually on holiday, it seems we can slip into a false sense of security," said a travel insurance manager.

"It's all too easy to forget that crime can still happen when you're having fun."

"It's absolutely vital that anyone travelling abroad checks, checks and checks again, that they have the correct travel insurance," he added.

And it is not just while relaxing on holiday that tourists make easy prey, with 11 per cent of crime victims saying that they were robbed while en-route to their destination. This means you must keep an eye on your bags at all times, especially when you have gone through customs and only have your most vital belongings in your carry on luggage.

Top tips to prevent theft on holiday:

•    Be wary of strangers – most people you meet will be genuine but there are always a few out for what they can get.
•    Wear a money belt – preferably a waterproof one. Also don’t carry all your money and valuables around at once if possible.
•    Use the hotel safe where one is provided.
•    Don’t wear expensive jewellery or watches etc where they are visible. And put your camera/mobile phone away when not using it.
•    Check your room is secure – if you want to leave valuables there it needs to be inaccessible.
•    Make sure you have adequate travel insurance.

If you would like to know more about holidays why not ask AnswerBank Travel.