| September 25th, 2009 | | | | Picking up a hire car is a very common place to be |
| It's not an award that any city wants to achieve but | | | | targeted where bags are taken whilst distracted at the |
| Barcelona has been ranked the pickpocket capital of | | | | counter. Travelling on public transport is another popular |
| the world. This is according to the review website with | | | | target area where jostling can appear harmless, only |
| the renowned area, La Rambla, being a particular | | | | to find that a purse or wallet has been taken in the |
| pickpocket hotspot. Other cities which feature high on | | | | confusion. Placing bags under your chair in a restaurant |
| the pickpocket list include Rome, Prague, Madrid, | | | | is an open invitation to it being lifted. So make sure you |
| Florence, Athens and Amsterdam in Europe and | | | | have Travel Insurance, it is essential in protecting your |
| Buenos Aires and Hanoi further afield. | | | | self when in these situations. |
| Regrettably the high incidence of theft abroad goes | | | | If you are unfortunate to have any items stolen on |
| largely unreported. But it is a growing problem and | | | | holiday, do make a list of the items stolen and cancel |
| affects thousands of holidaymakers abroad each | | | | your credit cards and travellers cheques immediately. |
| year. Generally when we go abroad, our guard is | | | | Go to the local police station as soon as possible and |
| down and this is what the professional gangs and | | | | insist on a police report. This is an absolute must if you |
| pickpockets look out for. Whilst baggage that is lost, | | | | intend to claim on your travel insurance and most |
| whilst under the control of the airline, may be attributed | | | | policies insist that this should be done within 24 hours |
| to theft, generally this will be marked down as lost in | | | | of the incident. If you don't, then you will find your |
| transit and a claim against the carrier and travel | | | | insurer less inclined to pay out. |
| insurance will be fairly straight forward providing that a | | | | If you lose your passport, then contact the nearest |
| passenger irregularity report is obtained from the airline. | | | | British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate who |
| But this is just the tip of the iceberg for the unwary | | | | will be able to issue you with an emergency |
| traveller. Many thefts occur as soon as you have | | | | replacement passport to get you home. |
| picked up your bags and ventured into the arrivals hall. | | | | |