Women Should Beware at Airports

According to Options Travel Insurance

• Women are 14 per cent more likely to be a victim of crime in an airport than men

• Italian airports worst in Europe for crime

• One-in-five victims of crime uninsured

Women are 14 per cent more likely to be victims of airport crime than men according to new research by Options Travel Insurance. The finding was part of Options’ Airport Crime Survey examining the travel experiences of more than 2,000 people1.

Italian airports are the worst in Europe for crime with a shocking 53 per cent more incidents recorded than second-placed Spain. Albania is the capital of pickpockets with Spain and Italy again making the top three.

Although more than eight in ten people (85%) have flown to a European country, many are still failing to do the basics like taking out insurance or reporting crimes to the police. 30 per cent of crime victims did not report the crime to the police and therefore would not be able to make a claim. One in five victims of crime were uninsured.

Dirk Kelly of Options Travel Insurance urges extra vigilance, especially among women, when at foreign airports: “A scam to watch out for is in countries such as Italy where criminals are driving on their mopeds past cars, tables and pedestrians and helping themselves to your valuables.

“It's vital, if you do unfortunately fall victim to crime whilst on your travels, that you obtain a police report, as your travel insurance provider may not pay your claim without one. Have a great holiday but be vigilant.”

Worst countries for airport crime

Country Airport crime accounted for (%)

Italy 26
Spain 17
France 14
Netherlands 7
Czech 5
Germany 5
Turkey 4
Cyprus 3
Ireland 3
Belarus 2

Top 10 worst for pickpockets at airports

Albania
Spain
Italy
Azerbaijan
Turkey
Bosnia-Herzegovina
France
Romania
Russia
Croatia

4 May 2006