The Foreign Office’s latest travel advice for France, Spain, Greece and Italy includes warnings of terrorism, protests, and crime.
Britain’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said there is a “high threat” of terrorist attacks around the world affecting UK interests and Britons.
It reported terrorists are “very likely” to try to carry out attacks in France, while the same is “likely” in Greece and “cannot be ruled out” in Italy. This compares to the UK where the current terror threat level is set at “substantial”, meaning an attack is likely.
On France, the FCDO warns terror attacks could be “indiscriminate” and include spots where foreigners gather, such as shopping centres, places of worship, entertainment venues, and cultural events.
The warning comes as France prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris where thousands of French troops have been drafted in to beef up security ahead of the biggest sporting event in the world.
Terrorists are also likely to try and carry out attacks in Spain, the FCDO said, warning these could be “indiscriminate” and target spots visited by foreigners.
Terror in Greece “could be indiscriminate”, with the FCDO noting attacks in the past have involved bombs and automatic weapons directed at shopping centres, banks, media offices and Greek institutions.
Authorities in Italy have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, according to the FCDO. It advises travellers to stay aware of surroundings, keep away from demonstrations and follow local advicce.
Travellers to both France and to Spain have also been advised demonstrations, marches and political gatherings in the country can take place with little or no warning. FCDO said most are peaceful, but there is a risk of unrest or violence.
The Foreign Office said of Greece that central Athens is seeing a “heightened” risk of protests sparked by the war between Israel and Hamas.
On Italy, the FCDO said demonstrations can happen with “little or no warning” in cities, adding: “Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches.”
Visitors to France have also been warned by the Foreign Office to take sensible precautions against street and car crime, with theives and pickpockets operating on the Paris Metro, RER lines and at mainline stations.
Serious assaults have also been reported on the RER train line B serving Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, Orly airports and the Paris Gare du Nord Eurostar terminus. RER line D serving Stade de France has also seen such attacks.
Passport, wallet and handbag thefts are common on public transport and in crowded tourist hotspots in Greece too, the FCDO said. Travellers have also been issued advice on how to reduce the risk of sexual assault, particularly around clubs and bars late at night.
Crime levels in Italy are “generally low”, according to the FCDO, but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions.
Travellers have also been warned to take care on public transport and in crowded areas, including Rome’s Termini station.
The FCDO warned too of thefts from parked cars in Rome, particularly in the Colosseum area, Ostia, Milan and Pisa. Thieves also target coastal areas and towns and motorway service stations, the Foreign Office said.
Street and vehicle crime have also been raised as risks in Spain, with so-called “highway pirates” targeting foreign-registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans.
They might flag you down and claim something is wrong with your vehicle or that you have damaged theirs. The FCDO said be wary of anyone offering help and approaches from people posing as plainclothes police in unmarked cars. Traffic police in Spain will usually be in uniform.