British Consul warns Britons travelling to Italian music festivals
UK music fans heading for festivals and concerts across Italy this summer are being warned to keep their possessions safe from thieves.
A new video on YouTube contrasts the fun of pop festivals with victims of crime talking about how having their stuff stolen ruined a good time. It’s already attracting thousands of views.
“Within a minute, we turned round, the bag was gone”, says one. “I’d been warned but you never think it’s going to happen to you”, adds another, as the video shows victims who found out just how quickly and easily things can disappear.
The video’s message - “Make sure you spend your time at the festival, not with us” – aims to encourage music fans and tourists to keep their belongings safe.
David Broomfield, British Consul Rome says:
Two simple steps can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime at festivals and busy tourist locations. First, treat your passport as a valuable document: if it gets lost or stolen you’ll spend your holiday applying for a travel document to get you home. Leave it at your hotel, and carry a photocopy with you. Second, keep your valuables with you at all times, and keep an eye on them! A bag over the back of a chair or on the floor in a restaurant or bar is such an easy target.
Getting a replacement travel document is both time-consuming and expensive, and British Consulates, which are always busier during music festivals and the peak tourist season, say the more cases they can prevent, the better.
Viewers are encouraged to embed it on their websites or share it with friends, to ensure the message gets seen as widely as possible.
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Email: ufficiostampa@fco.gov.uk
Last updated 18 June 2013 + show all updates
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First published.