NewsBreakingOnline

British Behaviour Abroad report shows fewer arrests, hospital visits, and passports lost Britons are more likely to require consular help in Spain, get arrested in Thailand, or die in the Philippines, according to Foreign Office figures. While the number of Britons arrested abroad fell last year, statistics show they are still getting into other difficulties while holidaying or living overseas. Total arrests in the 12 months ending March 2011 reached 5,700, a reduction on 6,439 in 2009-10 and 6,919 in 2008-09, according to the British Behaviour Abroad report. Spain recorded the highest number of Britons of arrests, at 1,745, although proportionate to visitor numbers the place Britons were more likely to be arrested was Thailand, followed by the US. Countries with the majority of arrests concerning drugs offences included Jamaica, Norway, Argentina, Brazil, Serbia and Peru. In total, 5,972 Britons died abroad last year, with those in the Philippines most likely to die, although 84% of the deaths were through natural causes. Thailand recorded the deaths of 374 Britons, 64% of which were from natural causes. There were more Britons requiring hospital treatment abroad. Proportionately, Britons were more likely to end up in a Thai hospital. The country recorded 246 cases last year, a mix of ill expats and visitors falling ill or through accidents. The report also highlighted the need for comprehensive travel insurance to cover expensive medical treatment. Previous research has suggested around one in six Britons travel abroad uninsured. The number of Britons raped abroad fell to 115, from 132 the previous year. But sexual assaults rose from 140 to 163. According to the Foreign Office report, proportionately the highest number of sexual assaults occurred in Egypt, followed by Turkey. There were 25,969 cases of lost or stolen passports in 2010-11 compared with 27,272 in the previous 12 months. Foreign Office research, from a poll of 2,000 UK adults, revealed that 43% of 18- to 24-year-olds know someone who has taken illegal drugs while abroad. It also showed that two thirds of people in Britain don’t always find out about the laws of the country they are visiting before they head off abroad, putting them at risk of unknowingly breaking the law, said the report. Nearly one third (32%) of people were not aware that they will always be prosecuted under local law if they broke the law abroad, with 6% thinking they would be prosecuted under UK law, 22% thinking it depended on the country, and 4% admitting to not knowing at all. David Lidington, minister for Europe, said: “We work hard to warn British nationals about the consequences of breaking the law abroad so it is really encouraging to see the overall number of cases of arrests and drug arrests falling. “But last year there were still 5,700 arrests of British nationals overseas. Prison conditions in some parts of the world can be very poor, overcrowded and in some cases dangerous, and sentences can be much tougher than in the UK. “People are mistaken if they think the FO can get you out of jail. We can’t, but we will work hard to try and ensure your sfaety, and that you get a fair trial.” Spain Thailand Philippines Caroline Davies guardian.co.uk