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Spain top theft hotspot for Brits abroad

More than one in 10 British holidaymakers (12 per cent) have experienced petty theft overseas and a further 27 per cent know someone who has fallen victim to this crime, according to new research from Direct Line Travel Insurance.

1Spain has the highest number of thefts overall, as 38 per cent of Britons who have experienced this crime abroad recently have done so in Spain, followed by France (14 per cent), Italy (seven per cent) and Greece (five per cent).

Money (41 per cent) is the most frequently stolen possession, followed by purses and wallets (34 per cent) and cameras (18 per cent). Jewellery (16 per cent) and clothes (12 per cent) are also among the top targets.

According to respondents, theft from empty hotel rooms is the most common method employed by thieves (30 per cent), although 13 per cent of victims have faced the ordeal of being mugged or pick pocketed on the street. A further five per cent have had their possessions stolen while enjoying themselves in a bar or restaurant.

And the financial cost of petty theft can be considerable, with more than a third of losses (34 per cent) in excess of £200, and one in 10 costing the victim more than £500.

But it also has an emotional impact with one in six (15 per cent) saying their holiday was ruined as a result of the theft. Almost a fifth of victims of petty theft questioned (18 per cent) found themselves unable to relax and enjoy themselves and close to a quarter (22 per cent) said they felt vulnerable afterwards.

However, British holidaymakers are taking steps to protect themselves against such crimes. 84 per cent take out travel insurance and more than half (51 per cent) secure their valuables by locking them away in the hotel safe. A further 22 per cent take travellers’ cheques away with them rather than cash.

Chris Price, Head of Direct Line Travel Insurance, said:

“For many people the summer holiday is their largest annual purchase, but it can be ruined by the theft of comparatively small sums or items.

“People can fall prey to petty theft in their everyday lives, but when it happens on holiday, in an unfamiliar environment and when people are looking to relax, the event can be all the more traumatic.

“We would advise all holidaymakers to protect themselves by taking simple, sensible precautions and by making sure they are insured against any loses in case the worst happens.”

-ends-

Tips to avoid petty theft abroad:

1. Take out comprehensive travel insurance
2. Use switch/credit card/travellers cheques instead of carrying cash around
3. Keep valuables and important documents in the room or hotel safe
4. Report theft to the local police and get a police statement to validate the claim
5. Don’t flaunt expensive jewellery or technology e.g. digital cameras
6. Keep belongings close by at all times
7. Never leave belongings on the beach when swimming
8. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas

For further information please contact:

Carmel McCarthy/Direct Line Press Office
Tel: 0845 878 2178/ carmel.mcCarthy@directline.com

Notes to editors

1The highest number of thefts take place in Spain as this country has one of the highest number of UK visitors per year.

Research was conducted between 18th and 20th April 2005 by YouGov, who interviewed a sample of 2,017 individuals. The survey was carried out online. Results were weighted to be representative of the GB population.

Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.

	London	South	Midlands	North
Holidaymakers	12 %	13 %	16 %	10 %	10 %
who have
experienced
theft overseas
Holidaymakers	27 %	32 %	25 %	25 %	29 %
who know of a
friend or
colleague who
has experienced
theft overseas
Holidaymakers	38 %	33 %	42 %	33 %	45 %
who have
experienced
theft in Spain
Holidaymakers	14 %	24 %	11 %	10 %	13 %
who have
experienced
theft in France
Holidaymakers	7 %	10 %	5 %	9 %	6 %
who have
experienced
theft in Italy
Holidaymakers	5 %	2 %	4 %	9 %	4 %
who have
experienced
theft in Greece
Holidaymakers	41 %	46 %	46 %	36 %	27 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had money
stolen
Holidaymakers	34 %	42 %	36 %	34 %	21 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had
purses/wallets
stolen

	Scotland	Wales
Holidaymakers	10 %	10 %
who have
experienced
theft overseas
Holidaymakers	29 %	25 %
who know of a
friend or
colleague who
has experienced
theft overseas
Holidaymakers	27 %	33 %
who have
experienced
theft in Spain
Holidaymakers	23 %	10 %
who have
experienced
theft in France
Holidaymakers	4 %	9 %
who have
experienced
theft in Italy
Holidaymakers	5 %	9 %
who have
experienced
theft in Greece
Holidaymakers	59 %	36 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had money
stolen
Holidaymakers	43 %	34 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had
purses/wallets
stolen

	National	London	South	Midlands	North
Holidaymakers	18 %	11 %	14 %	16 %	28 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had cameras
stolen
Holidaymakers	16 %	11 %	14 %	16 %	24 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had jewellery
stolen
Holidaymakers	12 %	4 %	13 %	24 %	7 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had clothes
stolen
Holidaymakers	30 %	24 %	24 %	41 %	31 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had items taken
from their hotel
room
Holidaymakers	13 %	30 %	8 %	17 %	9 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
were
mugged/pick
pocketed on the
street
Holidaymakers	5 %	3 %	8 %	3 %	4 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had items taken
while in a
restaurant/bar
Holidaymakers	34 %	39 %	38 %	26 %	30 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose losses
were worth
more than £200

	Scotland	Wales
Holidaymakers	30 %	16 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had cameras
stolen
Holidaymakers	7 %	16 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had jewellery
stolen
Holidaymakers	0 %	24 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had clothes
stolen
Holidaymakers	36 %	41 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had items taken
from their hotel
room
Holidaymakers	7 %	17 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
were
mugged/pick
pocketed on the
street
Holidaymakers	2 %	3 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
had items taken
while in a
restaurant/bar
Holidaymakers	23 %	26 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose losses
were worth
more than £200

	National	London	South	Midlands	North
Holidaymakers	10 %	14 %	10 %	9 %	8 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose losses
were worth
more than £500
Holidaymakers	15 %	15 %	19 %	16 %	10 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose holidays
were ruined as a
result
Holidaymakers	18 %	23 %	14 %	21 %	18 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
were left unable
to relax and
enjoy
themselves as a
result
Holidaymakers	22 %	22 %	16 %	23 %	19 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
felt vulnerable
afterwards
Holidaymakers	84 %	78 %	85 %	86 %	87 %
who take out
travel insurance
Holidaymakers	51 %	53 %	46 %	50 %	58 %
who keep their
valuables in the
hotel safe
Holidaymakers	22 %	18 %	17 %	22 %	27 %
who take
travellers’
cheques instead
of cash

	Scotland	Wales
Holidaymakers	7 %	9 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose losses
were worth
more than £500
Holidaymakers	11 %	16 %
who
experienced
petty theft
whose holidays
were ruined as a
result
Holidaymakers	25 %	21 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
were left unable
to relax and
enjoy
themselves as a
result
Holidaymakers	55 %	23 %
who
experienced
petty theft who
felt vulnerable
afterwards
Holidaymakers	84 %	86 %
who take out
travel insurance
Holidaymakers	49 %	50 %
who keep their
valuables in the
hotel safe
Holidaymakers	31 %	22 %
who take
travellers’
cheques instead
of cash

About us:

Spain top theft hotspot for Brits abroad

Tips to avoid petty theft abroad:

For further information please contact:

Notes to editors