The government body responsible for foreign travel advice has issued three important crime warnings to holidaymakers going to Greece this year. The Foreign Office has advised tourists to be extra vigilant when travelling through the country this holiday season.
To protect yourself from instances of theft, sexual assault and racially-motivated attacks, the government has put together some key advice to keep you and your family safe.
The Foreign Office has stated items such as passports, wallets and handbags are commonly lifted from the metro and other “crowded tourist places” – particularly in Athens. The government has urged anyone with valuable possessions to take action via certain listed methods.
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By carrying your valuables in different areas on your person with a copy of your passport photo page in a safe area, the government states it should help to protect you and your family’s belongings. The Foreign Office says: “Thefts of passports, wallets and handbags are common on the metro and in crowded tourist places, particularly in central Athens. Carry your valuables in different bags and pockets and keep a copy of your passport photo page somewhere safe.”
Additional safety advice states that any UK drivers hiring a car should ensure valuable possessions are “out of sight” and to ensure car doors are locked “at all times.” To be extra secure, the government advises travellers to “always park in a well-lit area or secure car park,” in addition to being “alert to car crime” in the area you are in.
The Foreign Office has also issued crime advice to anyone who may be experiencing the nightlife Greece has to offer. The government has issued a list to make sure tourists stay safe at night.
The five key pieces of advice state:
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save the location of your accommodation on your maps app, so it’s easier to find at the end of the night
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set up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch with others in your group
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keep an eye on each other’s drinks to make sure they do not get spiked
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do not let a friend walk back to their hotel alone
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do not give a drunk person more alcohol
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The government website also added that by pre-arranging transport or using Uber and Free Now taxi services, it can help to prevent any other issues. One of the most important recommendations the website emphasises is that any travellers who feel unsafe should “report anything that does not feel right to local authorities or hotel or club management.”
The final piece of travel advice is linked to “racially-motivated attacks” in Greece. The Foreign Office states there “have been some racially-motivated attacks, particularly in inner-city areas,” but maintains that the majority of visitors to Greece do not feel threatened due to their race.
Any tourists heading to Greece this year are advised to check the Foreign Office website before travelling.
