If you’re planning a winter getaway to Tenerife, a popular holiday spot for Brits, you may want to be extra vigilant this year. In a warning shared on TikTok, long-time Tenerife resident @KnightsRiders1, who has lived on the island for over a decade, he has urged tourists to be on high alert for pickpockets – particularly in busy areas like the Golden Mile.
In the video, he cautions travellers to “please be very careful of any pickpockets.” He explains that while other European hotspots may see a decline in petty crime during the winter, Tenerife actually experiences a rise in such incidents during the holiday period. According to him, the pickpockets in question are no amateurs – they’re professional gangs that fly in, target holidaymakers, and are experts at what they do.
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“These are full-time professionals and very good at their jobs,” he warns, adding that the criminals will not only pickpocket unsuspecting tourists but also target cars left unattended, stealing anything left inside. He advises visitors to stay especially vigilant in crowded areas where it’s easy to get distracted.
His advice? Keep your belongings close and secure. “Just like we have in London and everywhere, we have pickpockets around,” he says, referring to the common occurrence of this type of crime in busy centres. He emphasises that even if you’re switching off and enjoying a relaxing holiday, you should avoid carrying too much cash or leaving your valuables exposed.
“If you are down here in the Golden Mile area, with all those busy crowds of people bumping into you, just be careful,” he adds, suggesting that pickpockets are especially keen on grabbing rucksacks, iPads, and cameras – items that are both valuable and easy to snatch.
The TikTok user also shares a recent experience from his car rental business on the island. “Just this week, we had customers’ cars broken into for a drone and a camera,” he reveals, underlining the fact that even if you think your valuables are safe in your car, they may not be.
However, @KnightsRiders1 stresses that despite the rise in pickpocketing, these criminals represent a small minority of people on the island. He reassures viewers not to let the threat of crime ruin their holiday, saying: “Please keep safe and don’t let anyone ruin your holiday.”
The video has resonated with many, sparking a wave of concerned comments. One viewer wrote: “This is worrying. What a shame!” Another said: “Such a shame, always come in the winter but noticed it definitely getting worse just don’t feel safe in the evening.” A third person shared a similar sentiment, commenting: “It’s definitely getting worse.”
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