| For anyone preparing to visit South Africa, | | | | Stay in crowded areas for maximum security |
| whether it be for a sporting tour or simply for a | | | | protection. |
| holiday, it may well be difficult to avoid the niggling | | | | No-one wants their South Africa trip to be |
| concern about the risk of falling victim to crime. | | | | memorable for the wrong reasons, so it will be |
| While undeniably beautiful from a geographical | | | | helpful if you can remember some of the scams |
| point of view and rich in history, it is true that | | | | that criminal gangs are wont to use. One trick |
| there are high crime rates in certain areas of the | | | | that has taken a number of tourists by surprise is |
| country, and that it is essential to exercise caution | | | | the "Tourist Police" scam. The idea behind this |
| when visiting the country. Nonetheless, it should | | | | scam is that the criminals will play on the relative |
| also be noted that similar risks exist with many | | | | ignorance of tourists to pose as "Tourist Police" in |
| trips to an unfamiliar country. Just as with those | | | | order to gain the confidence of the visitor to the |
| trips, it is important to recognise the difference | | | | point where they will have the opportunity to |
| that is made by following good practice and | | | | check your luggage or ID. Having got the tourist |
| knowing where not to go and what not to do. | | | | where they want them, they then rob them. |
| One of the things that a traveller comes to | | | | Criminal gangs have been known to stop buses to |
| recognise before too long is the fact that while | | | | do this. However, South Africa does not have |
| caution is always an important commodity, | | | | Tourist Police, and this is entirely a scam. If you |
| whichever country you go to, the things you | | | | are travelling on a private bus, make sure the |
| need to be cautious of will change. Like any other | | | | driver is aware of this. |
| country, South Africa has its own specific things | | | | The fact is that, whether you are staying in a |
| to look out for. Criminal gangs in South Africa are | | | | hotel or a B&B South Africa can present you |
| resourceful, and for that reason it is common | | | | with certain risks which should be taken seriously. |
| sense not to travel a great deal on foot in poorly | | | | As long as you are aware of what you need to |
| lit areas after dark. As a preference, it is best to | | | | do in order to avoid these risks, your South |
| stick to areas where there are crowds - although | | | | Africa trip should be memorable for the right |
| these areas do carry a risk of pickpockets they | | | | reasons. As long as you are careful when leaving |
| do tend to deter more serious crime. It is | | | | and returning to your accommodation South |
| important to research the area in which you will | | | | Africa can be the location for a dream holiday. |
| be staying. In the country, hotels range from | | | | Yes, you need to have your wits about you, but |
| five-star to bargain basement, and it is worth | | | | the same is true anywhere. |
| paying extra to get one in a safer area. | | | | |