Cities Where You Don't Expect to Be Mugged, But Can

Mugged in Bern, Singapore, Dubai, Antwerp, Monaco? Sounds quite unlikely, but it’s true! Here are real-life examples of tourists getting mugged in these cities. But, don’t be disheartened – travelling is a joy and such incidents can surely be avoided by some attention and care. Please read for Safety Tips.

Bern, Switzerland

Considered one of the safest countries in the world, to live and to travel to, Switzerland has seen a regular influx of tourists and is a much busier place than a decade or two ago. Although still quite rare, there have been some recorded instances of petty theft against tourists, in public transport and busy tourist destinations.

Real Instance: A couple was travelling on the SBB train from Bern to Geneva, and placed their backpack in the overhead compartment. In it were cameras, lenses, credit cards, documents, 3 SBB passes and many more valuables. Soon, even before the next station, they discovered that the bag was missing, and after searching the entire compartment and corridors for it, realised that it had been swiftly picked up by someone.

Singapore

The law and order in Singapore is a case-study for other countries, that’s how well maintained and regulated the place is. However, there are a few areas in Singapore, where one must be wary of pick-pockets and theft, such as China Town, Little India, and even the very popular Santosa Island.

Real Instance: A family was having dinner at a South Indian restaurant, right next to the very popular Mustafa Centre in the Little Indian area of the city. A briefcase with important documents and cash was lying next to the man. The lady and her child went to the washroom only to come back and notice that the briefcase was missing. Apparently someone had walked off with it, while the man was distracted paying the bill.

Dubai, U.A.E

Every year, Dubai attracts millions of tourists, due to a wide variety of activities, excellent infrastructure, exciting travel offers and a safe environment. Even though it is a very safe city to live in and travel to, with a strict law and order system and constant police patrols, Dubai has recently witnessed instances of petty theft and other crimes.

Real Instance: A student visiting Dubai was sitting at a Starbucks, in the popular Mall of Emirates. She left her phone on the table to get some sugar from the counter. Now, since the coffee shop was inside a bookstore, with mostly children and families around, it was a pretty safe place to be. However, when she returned to the table, she realised that her new iPhone was missing. After searching through the bookstore and taking help from the shop employees, she realised that the phone had actually been stolen by a person sitting at a nearby table.

Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium

Belgium is a culturally rich political monarchy, and one of the safest places in Europe, with not many cases of petty crimes are reported here. It is surprising to note these two instances of theft, which took place in two of the main cities of the country.

Real Instances: This happened at the Antwerpen Central Railways Station (Belgium) last summer, with a middle aged couple. On their arrival at the station while waiting to be greeted by their son, they decided to have a cup of coffee. The lady left her suitcase loose to get the money from her handbag and in a flip second the bag vanished. They didn’t even see anyone running away or making noise.

In another incident in Belgium, a gentleman who was visiting Brussels with friends was approached by a person, seemingly of Middle-eastern origin. He walked up and struck up a conversation about India and Shahrukh Khan.  Then, the stranger started to dance with the alarmed travelers and in the process, reached for the gentleman’s wallet, grabbed it and ran. As they chased him, the rogue took the money and threw the wallet on the ground, so they would stop to pick it up and not chase him anymore.

Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Possibly one of the safest countries to visit or live in, Monaco’s police force is so large that there is one officer for every resident. On the streets, you will see Bose speakers lined up, with video camera surveillance on all the major streets. This tax-free haven is a place for the rich and famous, and the safety adds to its glamour quotient.

Real Incident: A group of 40 students was on a school field trip for a day in Monte-Carlo, taking a sight-seeing tour in the busiest areas of the city. After enjoying the city’s main landmarks, they all gathered at a gelateria for ice-cream, where they occupied a few tables outside. Within 5 minutes of enjoying they discovered that a student’s backpack had disappeared. After searching the area vigorously, they figured that someone had just walked between the crowd, and swiftly caught the bag as he walked on.

Seeing new places and experiencing different cultures is an exhilarating feeling, and some untoward instances should not deter you from travelling. With some amount of care, the world is yours to experience.

Safety Tips 

• Do not leave your belongings unattended. In public transport, keep an eye on the luggage compartments, as it’s easy to just walk away with luggage stowed there.
• Very often overlooked, travel insurance can be a big savior, even in the safest countries. Insurance claims can compensate for your valuables and certainly take care of the monetary loss.
• Read about the places you will be visiting, and be aware of the places to avoid. Even the safest places have their dark alleys.
• Book your stay in advance, so you won’t be left stranded in case any incident happens.
• Keep your money/documents in separate pockets or bags. Carry photocopies of your passport and important documents. Scanning the documents is also a good idea.
• Talk to locals/strangers by all means, but be smart about it. Avoid sharing personal information and be aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t be aggressive if you get mugged. Criminals might have weapons to hurt you. Instead, inform the closest policeman or call the police immediately.

Important Numbers to Carry

• The local police
• Taxi stands
• The hotel/hostel you are staying at
• The travel insurance company
• The bank/credit card company
• An emergency number

  Have a happy and safe journey!

This post is a collaborative effort of Juhi Hajela, Shreya Sachar and Neha Mathur.