British music fans heading for festivals in Portugal this summer are being warned to keep their possessions safe from thieves if they want to avoid spending time with the police and British Consulates instead of enjoying the music.
A new video on YouTube contrasts the fun of festivals with victims of crime talking about how having their stuff stolen ruined a good time.
The video’s message – “Make sure you spend your time at the festival, not with us” – aims to encourage music fans to keep their belongings safe before going off to enjoy the beach or a gig.
Simona Demuro, British Consul for Portugal, said: “Two simple steps can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime at festivals.First, don’t leave your valuables behind in your tent or out of sight even for a minute – keep them in a zipped pocket or bag. Second, treat your passport as a valuable document: if it gets lost or stolen you’ll miss out on the festival while you are getting a new one to get home.”
Getting a replacement travel document is both time-consuming and expensive, and British Consulates – which are always busier during music festivals – say the more cases they can prevent, the better.
The YouTube video can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN9XVVAbFMc
