Brits behaving better abroad
Fewer Brits are getting into trouble abroad, according to the latest figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Its British Behaviour Abroad report 2014 showed there has been a decrease in some of the serious types of consular case in the past year.
It found the total number of hospitalisation cases handled by FCO staff in 2013/14 fell to its lowest level for five years, particularly in popular holiday destinations such as France, Thailand and Spain.
Cases of rape and sexual assault reported to consular staff have also dropped significantly.
The total number of rape cases reported was at its lowest level for a decade, with large falls in Spain and Turkey, and reported sexual assaults were down by almost 12% globally.
But drug arrests remain a problem in some countries, with Australia and Spain seeing a combined increase in recorded cases of more than 80%.
With visitor figures and resident numbers taken into account, British residents are most likely to need assistance in the Philippines, Thailand and Jamaica.
The number of hospitalisation cases recorded in the Philippines has increased by 38% compared to 2012/13.
Overall, FCO consular staff handled 17,517 assistance cases globally in 2013/14.
Mark Simmonds, minister for consular affairs, said: "With the summer holidays just around the corner, millions of people across the UK will be looking forward to taking a trip abroad. The vast majority will enjoy a trouble-free holiday, but for those who do encounter difficulties our consular staff are there to offer support.
"This year’s report has highlighted some encouraging downwards trends, and this allows our staff to concentrate more on supporting our most vulnerable customers. However, the FCO continues to help thousands of British nationals who get into trouble overseas every year."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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