Advice for travelling music fans 19.07.2013
British music fans heading for festivals this summer are being warned to keep their possessions safe from thieves if they want to avoid spending time with the police and British Consulates instead of enjoying the music. A new video on YouTube contrasts the fun of 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. Timothy Fisher, HM Consul in Turkey, said: “Two simple steps can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime at concerts and music festivals. First, keep your valuables safe and secure in a zipped pocket or bag. Second, treat your passport as a valuable document: if it gets lost or stolen you’ll miss out on the fun whilst getting a new one to get home.” Getting a replacement travel document is both time-consuming and expensive, and British Consulates – which are always busier during summer – say the more cases they can prevent, the better.