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02 July 2014 09:28
Vulnerable hotspot: the beach is a favourite location for opportunist thieves, a new poll finds
Nearly half of all holidaymakers have fallen victim to theft while on a holiday abroad, research has revealed.
Cameras are the most common items taken among the 40% of Brits who have had items stolen, while a fifth of these have had things pilfered from their hotel room.
As many as 60% of the victims don't report the thefts though, a survey of 2,144 people by sunshine.co.uk found.
The travel agent's results reinforce the wisdom of taking out travel insurance when jetting off on holiday abroad.
This idea is endorsed by Chris Clarkson, managing director of Sunshine.co.uk.
Mr Clarkson says every Briton heading overseas should arrange a level of travel cover that includes at least a few of the precious items they are heading out with.
The survey found that among the most vulnerable tourists are those who go off to the sea to enjoy a swim. Those who choose to leave belongings under a towel are warned that the beach is the number one hotspot for thieves preying on holidaymakers.
Holidaymakers are also urged to be careful when by the pool as the survey found poolside is the second-most vulnerable thief blackspot.
Criminals' favourite 'must-have' British tourist items, after cameras, are sunglasses. Then comes money and mobile phones in third and fourth place respectively, followed by jewels and beach toys.
So why aren't Britons reporting thefts while abroad?
More than three-quarters (77%) of those who have had items stolen say they blame themselves for leaving items either at risk or unguarded.
The survey polled Britons who had enjoyed a foreign holiday in the past year and pertained to their previous break and earlier overseas holidays.
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