CHARLES STARMER-Smith pinpoints the world's most crime-prone tourist destinations and describes some tricks to watch out for
10 MOST COMMON SCAMS
All cities that attract tourists inevitably draw criminals who prey on them. But where are you most likely to be a victim? The annual Personal Safety Survey, undertaken by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, offers a rough guide.
As an aid to governments and big business sending employees abroad, Mercer ranks cities according to personal safety, with scores based on crime levels, law enforcement and internal stability. In the latest survey, published in March, it judges Luxembourg to be the safest (No 1 out of 215) and Bangui capital of the Central African Republic and scene of a recent coup to be the most dangerous. But neither of those is a mainstream holiday destination. We have drawn the 10 worst-rated popular tourist destinations from the survey omitting any city whose ranking may have been affected by war, political strife, terrorism or SARS.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA 191/215
Despite government efforts to increase security in the capital, crimes against tourists show no sign of abating. Armed robbery, gang violence and shootings persist and travel to and from the airport can be dangerous, particularly on the Mountain View route.
Foreign Office advice "There are high levels of crime and violence, particularly in the Kingston area, and tourists should avoid certain routes."
RIO DE JANEIRO 178
Crime levels remain high, exacerbated by police corruption and inaction. With chronic poverty in the shanty towns, tourists are the obvious targets. Robberies at gunpoint occur in the backstreets, but bag-snatching is more common.
FO "You should observe vigilance when venturing out after dark. Under no circumstances should you enter a slum. Street robberies can occur anywhere and car-jackings can be a problem."
CAPE TOWN 170
Although South African authorities have spent some money on security for tourists, car-jacking and street crime remain serious problems, and guns are a part of everyday life in particular, the townships on the Cape Flats have spiralling crime rates.
FO "There is a high level of crime but most occurs in the townships. Thieves operate at international airports, bus and railways stations. Passport theft is common."
