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Brits behaving worse abroad - 12 August 2008

The Foreign Office has reported this week that the number of British citizens arrested overseas has risen significantly in some countries, and has laid the blame at the door of irresponsible drinking.

In Spain alone, the number of Briton arrested rose by nearly a third to 2,032. Spain also accounted for the most passports lost (6,710) and the highest number of hospital admissions (695). This figure should be viewed in the context of the estimated 17 million Brits who traveled to Spain in the past year, the most popular destination for UK travelers in the world.

Cyprus has the highest proportion of arrests compared to visitor numbers, and Thailand the highest number of injuries or deaths among tourists – much of which is put down to the notoriously-dangerous roads. France, with a reputation for quieter, more civilized holidays, saw the sharpest increase in arrests, up 42 per cent. This, however, comes against a background of just 153 arrests in total among 15 million visitors from these shores.

The Foreign Office said many arrests abroad were due to "behaviour caused by excessive drinking". Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn said: "The report highlights what can go wrong on holiday. It is a reminder to all that taking out comprehensive travel insurance is a crucial part of your holiday planning and not something that should be sacrificed to save a few pounds. We are concerned that drink does play a part in a number of situations."

A separate Foreign Office survey said that some two-thirds of holidaymakers heading overseas this summer would be spending less while away on holiday due to the effects of the credit crunch.

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