Brits heading to Benidorm have been warned to keep their wits about them after a travel vlogger was targeted by a gang of pickpockets using a sinister hand signal as a distraction
With the UK bracing for a chilly March, Brit holidaymakers are eyeing sunny escapes to Benidorm, dreaming of its sun-soaked beaches and bargain pints. But travel expert Joe Fish has uncovered a shady threat lurking in this popular Spanish resort.
While filming along the lively seafront, Joe had a close call with cunning pickpockets who tried to swipe his possessions right under his nose. Recounting the incident to the Express, he said: “I cannot believe that my bag was opened. He’s tried to have a rummage in my bag.”
The adventurous YouTuber emphasised the importance of staying sharp among the holiday cheer: “If I had been p****d up and didn’t have my wits about me, that would have been a completely different ending.”
He cautioned his fellow travellers, reminding them of the nearly three million Brits who flock there annually, to keep their guard up: “Just go steady when you’re out here. Don’t just get drawn in to the sunshine and the smiles, make sure you’ve got your wits about you.”
Additionally, Joe highlighted the infamous “Pea Scam” where swindlers engage tourists in a deceptive pea-and-cups game, while their partners in crime plot to filch their valuables. Crooks can even signal to others where your valuable items are hidden.
Millions are attracted to a budget-friendly holiday in Benidorm, in part because it is a short flight from many UK airports, boasting “glorious” weather and minimal language barriers. The lively streets of Benidorm’s New Town are packed with British pubs and takeaways offering all-English menus. However, there are some cultural differences.
Joe said: “It’s very easy to tell the English and the Spanish apart here in Benidorm. You’ll see the Spaniards walking along with coats and scarves on, as it is February here, but you’ll see the Brits in the bars with no tops on shorts and flip-flops.”
Perhaps it’s just as well that Brits in Benidorm tend not to wear shirts. Some of the T-shirts available in the New Town’s numerous souvenir shops feature extremely risqué slogans.
“If you’ve got young children that can read, I wouldn’t advise going into any of the souvenir stores in Benidorm,” Joe shared. “You might be confronted with some strange conversations should they read some of those T-shirts that’s for sure!”.
This week a British holidaymaker was left delighted after finding a beer abroad that cost him less than a cup of tea in the UK.
Graham is known for his love of Benidorm and frequently visits the location with his best mate, Darren, 48. He shares insight into the Spanish resort with his 335,000 TikTok followers. During one of his recent trips, the 38-year-old from Middlesbrough found the Holy Grail: an incredibly affordable pint.
The lager cost him just £1.66, which is a third of the price of an average beer in the North East, according to Pint Tracker.