New crime warning for Aussies travelling to Bali

Aussies bound for Bali are being warned to take extra care as reports of crime increase. See why and tips to protect yourself.

Aussie tourists are being warned to take extra care on Bali streets after increased reports of bag snatching. Picture: Getty Images

Australian tourists are being warned to take extra precautions on the streets of Bali after increased reports of bag snatching.

Horrifying details of an Aussie mother who had her bag snatched from around her neck by a motorbike pillion passenger in Seminyak have been shared on social media with a warning for others to be extra careful with how they carry their bags.

Becca Dunham said her mum had bent forward while walking along a bend in a road, when a motorbike came past and a passenger grabbed her bag. The strap broke and offenders took off with her bag, which contained money, bank cards, medical needs and her phone.

She said she was in part relieved the strap broke, fearing for what injuries her mum may have sustained otherwise.

Ms Dunham shared her mum’s story on the Bali Bogan Facebook page on Sunday as a warning to other tourists.

“Now when we go out we walk on the opposite side to the way the traffic is going and I walk on the inside. I also put my bag on the inside (of the road),” she posted on behalf of her mother.

Tourists are talking about an increase in bag snatchings in Bali.

Ms Dunham’s mother was not injured, just “shaken up”, but she hoped sharing her experience would prevent others from being targeted.

The post attracted a range of responses including well wishes, safety tips and reports of similar incidents.

One person said they always “walk towards the traffic, bag on side, away from traffic” as it was the “safest way”.

Another said: “I always use a bum bag when I’m in Bali, it’s much safer”.

Aussie tourists are being warned to take extra care with how they wear handbags when walking along streets in Bali.

Another posted said her husband walked on the “bag side” where possible, and she always had both hands on her bag.

Others proposed backpacks worn on the front, or flat bags under clothing.

“[Bag snatching] happens so often in Bali and that’s why I have a backpack that I wear on my front in Bali and I keep hold of it,” one person said.

“Backpacks have thicker straps and are hard to cut or break and I never carry everything in it. I put card, money etc in different pockets of my clothes and on my body and I don’t wear expensive jewellery whilst over there. I love Bali and got there regularly.”

Pedestrians cross a street in Seminyak, Bali. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT TO DO IF MUGGED OVERSEAS

The Smart Traveller website offers these tips for Aussies tourists who get mugged.

1) Think about your safety: Get to safety. If you’re already safe, stay put. If not, find somewhere well populated and well lit. Don’t chase after the perpetrator or try to track them down yourself. They may respond with violence. Let local police handle it.

2) Look after your health: If you’re injured, get medical assistance.

3) Report it to the local police: Local crime is a matter for local authorities. You’ll need to provide police with everything you can remember, such as perpetrator’s physical attributes: age, weight, gender, nationality etc; as well as location, was anyone else around. What you were doing.

Get a copy of the police report, as you may need it for insurance purposes.

4) Prevent fraud and identity theft:

If your passport has been stolen, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate or call the 24-hr Consular Emergency Centre in Australia on [phone].

If your phone has been stolen, use the remote wipe feature promptly to prevent people accessing important details, should someone be able to get back the lock screen.

If bank cards are stolen, contact your bank immediately to have them cancelled.

5) Contact your insurer: You may wish to make a claim to replace stolen property, change travel plans, repair or replace damaged items or get medical assistance.

Originally published as New crime warning for Aussies travelling to Bali