British tourists have been issued an urgent warning over a spike in crime at an incredibly popular Spanish destination.
Tenerife in the Canary Islands is currently dealing with “growing crime”, specifically targeting Brits on their holidays.
Just days ago, the Foreign Office issued new alerts for the islands regarding potential terror threats, crime, and cultural and legal differences between Spain and the UK.
It also warned of pickpockets and luggage thieves, telling tourists not to keep all their valuables in the same place and to keep photocopies of their passports in a safe location.
The warning read: “‘Highway pirates’ [often] target foreign-registered and hired cars. They may flag you down, claiming there is something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs.
“If you decide to stop to check the condition of a vehicle, stop in a public area with lights, such as a service station [and] be wary of anyone offering help.”
British tourists, in particular, have raised the alarm over pickpockets and other thieves, with one unsuspecting visitor almost having her bag stolen while on a walk, The Olive Press reports.
Andrea Seldon wrote on an online forum: “I’m absolutely gutted to be posting this. I’ve read lots on here lately about pick pockets. Tonight we were walking along and I felt someone behind me.
“I thought he was trying to grab my bag or try to sell me something at first. I turned around and grabbed my bag. He backed off, saying sorry. We carried on walking and I realised my bag was open.
“Luckily everything was still inside. Really shook up and upset but please ladies, make sure your bag is across your body and in front of you. Tenerife is a very special place to us. There were three of them. Two men and a woman.”
Another British tourist resonded to the post, claiming pickpockets had also tried to steal items from her and her friend’s bags.
She wrote: “I caught someone with their hand in my bag on the coastal paths just before you get to Porto Colom… he didn’t get a chance to get anything. It is unnerving.”
“I always have my bag across my body now with my hand on it. On the same day at night outside the Conquistador they tried to do the same to my friend, she noticed, turned and whacked him across the head with her handbag and he ran off.
“It’s bloody rife the poor kids who get drunk don’t stand a chance!”
