Sharing a two-minute and 38-second video on TikTok, the knightrider1 pleaded with Brits to be aware of their surroundings and to keep an eye out for pickpockets
A TikToker who lives in Tenerife has issued a warning to any Brits travelling to the islands this winter. Sharing a two-minute and 38-second video on TikTok, the knightrider1 pleaded with Brits to be aware of their surroundings and to keep an eye out for pickpockets. Speaking to his 71,000 followers, he said: “Please be very careful of any pickpockets that are around about. It does increase over here, that whole sort of activity if you think about it. Mainland Spain, all of those other hot spots, those other tourist areas in Europe, they all calm down during the winter. And the Canaries and Tenerife go through the roof.”
The TikToker, who has been living in Tenerife for the last 10 years, also shed light on who the pickpockets are and how they do it. He said: “So a lot of the people doing it are actually gangs that fly in. They are full-time professionals, they do this as a full-time job. They are very good at it and they will do pickpocketing, they will steal from cars if you leave stuff inside them. So please do be careful with your wallet, stuff like that.”
One person commented on the video: “Such a shame, always come in the winter but noticed it definitely getting worse just don’t feel safe in the evening.”
Another added: “It’s no different to any other tourist area. Don’t make yourself a target. Keep your bag in front of you and don’t put your wallet/purse/phone in your back pocket.”
A third wrote: “This is worrying. What a shame!”
Earlier we reported on a new law that came into force on December 2, which has had Spanish hotel bosses up in arms, fearing Brits will no longer want to visit the country including the holiday hotspot of the Canary Islands.
The new data collection rules became law last week and have been compared to ‘Big Brother’. The rules require hotels, travel agencies and car rental companies to harvest more than 40 pieces of personal information from each visitor in Spain.
Everyone over the age of 14 will have to provide hotels, rentals, taxis, and campsites with a massive list of info including passport details, mobile numbers, dates of birth, nationalities, email addresses and more.
Spanish hoteliers have said they will take the government to court to challenge the new laws and “protect businesses and travellers.” The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has said the new laws risk putting off guests and creating a burden for staff with lengthy check-ins with businesses risking large fines if they fail to comply.
