BEWARE: Irish holidaymakers in Spain warned over men pretending to be police officers

Irish holidaymakers have been warned to watch out hidden dangers, including fraudster pretending to be local police offiers, as they head to Spain in their thousands for their summer holidays.

The advice has been issued by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs to be "aware" especially in busy areas and at peak times like summer for criminals hiding in plain sight.

The Department said: "Most of Spain has a moderate rate of crime. However, given the very high number of holidaymakers that visit Spain, additional security measures are rolled out in public areas at peak times, such as during the summer and at Christmas.

"You should be aware that in areas such as airports, bus stations, railway stations, tourist areas and major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, there is a much higher risk of pickpocketing and muggings. We advise you to take basic precautions:

"Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets, passport and money together in the same place, for example your luggage or bag.

"Leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place

"Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary, and consider carrying your Passport Card. Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home

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"Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business

"Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as cafes, train and bus stations, bars, restaurants, etc.

"Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible."

They also advise Irish tourists in Spain to "be vigilant about petty crime: many of the cases we encounter involve stolen passports and credit cards.

"In metro stations, avoid boarding the train near the exit/entrance to the platform, as this is often where pickpockets position themselves. Thieves may work in teams and a person may attempt to distract you so that an accomplice can rob you more easily."

They also warn people be "always be cautious when approached by anyone claiming to be a police officer, either in plain clothes or travelling in unmarked vehicles.

"In all traffic matters, police officers will be in uniform. Unmarked vehicles will have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window, which reads ‘Policía’ or ‘Guardia Civil’, and normally have blue flashing lights incorporated into the headlights.

"In non-traffic matters, police officers may be in plain clothes. However, you have the right to ask a police officer to identify themselves. Also, a genuine police officer will not request that you hand over your bag or wallet. If they ask you for identification, show them photographic ID such as your passport, Passport Card or driver's licence. If in any doubt, you should converse through the car window and contact the Spanish authorities on 112 and ask them to confirm that the registration number of the vehicle corresponds to an official police vehicle."

Theft from vehicles is common in Spain. "Remember to keep your doors locked, windows rolled up and valuables out of sight while driving," the Department advises.

"Be aware of 'highway pirates' who target foreign-registered and rental cars. There have been reports of such activity in the vicinity of airports, in particular. Some will try to make you stop, claiming there is something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs. In some cases, they will even deliberately orchestrate a collision in order to get you to stop and exit your car, before stealing personal belongings from you.

"If you decide to stop to check the condition of your/their vehicle, try to stop in an area with lights and people, such as a service station, and be extremely wary of anyone offering help."