Issue 155

Student travel safety

14th May 2007

Holidays are a time to relax, have fun and escape for the day-to-day... but it's important to keep a grasp on reality and remember that even on the idyllic Balearic islands safety is an issue.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office have recently released the findings of the first ever British Behaviour Abroad report, in the hope of raising awareness of the potential pitfalls that can occur while in a foreign environment.

Fact - Spain had the highest number of arrests in this period with 1,663, followed by the USA with 1,460

Advice - before you travel, check out the local laws and customs of your destination - Also many arrests are due to behaviour caused by excessive drinking. Know your limit and try not to drink more than you usually would at home

Fact - 63% didn't know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as Codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal

Advice - know the drugs laws of your destination; they are more severe in some countries than others

Fact - Spain has the highest number of reported lost or stolen passports per year (4,774 in this period)

Advice - before you travel make a photocopy of the page with your details on. Once abroad, keep your passport in a safe place (e.g. hotel safe). When you're out and about use the photocopy for ID.

Fact - Greece experienced the highest proportion of rapes in this period

Fact - 18% of the women questioned say they have experienced a situation abroad where they have felt uncomfortable or threatened sexually

Advice - Don't drink so much that you are not in control of what you're doing - and never leave your drink unattended

So remember kids, play safe - but don't let these statistics prevent you from getting out there and seeing the world.

Waterfront Online