Spain, with its sunny Mediterranean coastline, Canary and Balearic islands, has been the most popular destination for British holidaymakers since the birth of the modern travel industry half a century ago.  Spain’s popularity with holidaymakers has undoubtedly brought financial benefit to many local communities and now with the influx of British Ex-pats choosing to make their permanent homes in the area, safety and security is an issue that is at the top of the forum lists. Visit our forum
While most of Spain has a considerably lower crime rate than the UK and most of the estimated three million British tourists have trouble free visits to Spain each year, street crimes occur in the principal tourist areas.
Crimes occur at all times of day and night and to people of all ages. Criminals frequent tourist areas and major attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, outdoor cafes, Internet cafes, hotel lobbies, beach resorts, city buses, trains, train stations, airports, and ATM machines.
You should remain alert to your personal security, exercise caution, carry limited cash, only one credit card, and a photocopy of your passport; leaving extra cash, extra credit cards, passports and personal documents in a safe location. When carrying documents, credit cards or cash, secure them in a hard-to-reach place and do not to carry all valuables together in a purse or backpack.

USEFUL TIPS

Thieves often work in teams or pairs. In most cases, one person distracts a victim while the accomplice performs the robbery. For example, someone might wave a map in your face and ask for directions or “inadvertently” spill something on you. While your attention is diverted, an accomplice makes off with the valuables.
Thieves may drop coins or keys at your feet to distract you and try to take your belongings while you are trying to help.
A group of assailants may surround the victim in a crowded popular tourist area or on public transportation, and only after the group has departed does the person discover he/she has been robbed.
Purse-snatchers may grab purses or wallets and run away, or immediately pass the stolen item to an accomplice. A passenger on a passing motorcycle sometimes robs pedestrians.
Theft from vehicles is also common. Items high in value like luggage, cameras, laptop computers, or briefcases are often stolen from cars. [Travellers are advised not to leave valuables in parked cars, and to keep doors locked, windows rolled up and valuables out of sight when driving.]
“Good Samaritan" scams are unfortunately common, where a passing car or “helpful” stranger will attempt to divert the driver’s attention by indicating there is a flat tire or mechanical problem. When the driver stops to check the vehicle, the “Good Samaritan” will appear to help the driver and passengers while the accomplice steals from the unlocked car.
In the Southern Costa Blanca, particulary Torrevieja and surrounding areas there has been a recent speight of thefts, usually at supermarkets and outside ATM machines. Someone will come to your drivers side window and ask for directions or tell you there is something wrong with your car and an accomplice will open the passenger side door and take handbags and valuables. [Lock all your doors when getting in your car.]
Burglaries and car theft in the Torrevieja area, although on the decline, are still higher than in any other area of  Spain so be vigilent, do not leave keys in reach of open windows even if you have security grills, as hooks have been fashioned from poles and coat hangers. Invest in safe that can be attached to the wall [Available at Carrefour for only €50]
Drivers should be cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed Spanish police officer or Guardia Civil

See the download area for other useful tips and crime statistics.
Click here for Emergency Numbers for UK Bank and Credit Card Loss or Theft