Personal safety
Before you travel
Research your destination - Follow recommendations regarding areas not to travel, safety at night and behaviour/ clothing that maybe illegal or offensive to the local culture.
Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for updates, safety tips, local laws and customs.
Arrange appropriate travel insurance
Copy documents including passport/ insurance/ travel tickets. Keep digital copies.
Leave a copy of documents and travel plans with someone at home you trust.
Keep Next of Kin or “in case of emergency” (ICE) details in your passport, your phone and in your belongings.
Muggings, Theft and Assault
Some countries have a higher crime rate than the UK and looking like a tourist might put you at greater risk. No matter where you are travelling to take some general precautions that may help reduce any unpleasant events
Appearance and Belongings - Consider if the clothes you wear are culturally appropriate. Don’t display signs of wealth or have expensive items on show such as jewellery, a camera round your neck or phone in your hand
Crowds and public transport - be vigilant Wear a daypack on your front and know where valuables are. Money belts or secret inside pockets can be useful.
Be aware of scams, people being overly friendly or offering you free or discounted item/tours. Do not leave or get into a vehicle with someone you do not know.
Alcohol - limit alcohol intake and never leave drinks/ food unattended in case it gets spiked.
Drugs - never buy illicit substances, many countries have severe penalties (have you not seen Bridget Jones?!). Some over the counter medication in the UK may be illegal overseas.
After dark - avoid walking around at night especially alone and in quiet areas. In some countries this can be extremely dangerous, check the FCDO website. Plan how you are getting home after dark and get the details of licenced taxi firms in advance.
Confrontations - try not to draw attention to yourself in the first place. De-escalate or walk away from any heated confrontations. Be firm but polite when declining offers from beggars or locals.
Accommodation - avoid the ground floor, check locks on windows and doors. Try and store valuables securely. Avoid sharing a room with strangers.
Car travel - keep doors locked, be alert at traffic lights, ideally drive a route you know and avoid driving at night.
If you are confronted or a victim of crime - it is safer to not resist and give up your valuables. Get yourself to a place of safety and report the crime to the local police when safe to do so. You may need a crime report number to claim on your insurance.
Rape and Sexual Assault
If you are the victim of rape or sexual assault get yourself to a place of safety and find a person you trust to confide in. Cultural attitudes can affect how these incidents are dealt with by local authorities. The FCDO has specific advice for individual countries.
Sources of help - contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate
Emergency contraception – find a clinic International consortium on Emergency Contraception
Police - If you need to report a crime, try to not wash or change clothes to help preserve evidence. Unfortunately, foreign police are under no obligation to investigate such crimes and the UK has no jurisdiction to be involved.
On return to the UK - sources of physical and psychological help can be found here. Consider a sexual health screen.