In summer, with sea, sun and leisure, our self-preservation instinct takes a back seat. We do not always remember to be vigilant – of ourselves and of our property as we take to the pleasures of life, until next summer. But it only takes a moment of carelessness, and we could be left hurt, with no money, no documents, in the middle of nowhere.

In a critical situation, we Bulgarians have more options for seeking and finding help, not least because we speak the language. But what can a foreigner do if left without money or even a telephone they can use to call their embassy?

“If the tourists are organized, their tour operators are in contact with us and they know what to do,” chief inspector Zhivko Daskalov, head of the regional police station in Sozopol, said for Radio Bulgaria. “Even if they are not organized, at the hotel where they are staying the staff also knows how to get in touch with us. Whatever the case may be – for example loss of personal documents – the regional station registers the incident reported and issues a certificate which the people involved can show at the border. Some embassies have representations in place, and they too are authorized to issue documents. Without them people without ID papers cannot leave the country.”

The reports that reach the regional police stations are mostly for loss or theft of money and documents. Property theft is also widespread – more often on the bus, and rarely from a hotel room. Chief inspector Zhivko Daskalov says that beach theft has been eradicated now that there is CCTV and around the clock security. “The contingent now operates inside the resorts and in cities,” he adds.

As the number of tourists drops due to the coronavirus pandemic, so does the crime rate along the sea coast. The offences registered at this time are mostly connected with drug possession and driving under the influence.

Do holiday makers take care of themselves, or do they lose self-control?

“Younger people have less self-control even though we give them a lot of instructions via their tour operators, we hand out fliers,” chief inspector Zhivko Daskalov says further. “Alcohol abuse is the principal reason why people become victims of crime or lose property.”

The head of the Sozopol police station says that no foreign tourist will be left destitute. Some stations have interpreters, and most police officers now speak English adequately. If it is a question of a less popular language, then tour operators and embassies are contacted for assistance.

“The only advice I can give foreign tourists is to be just a bit more vigilant and take good care of their personal effects and their documents – including when they are on the beach, and not to leave them unattended. And also not to take everything with them when they leave their hotel. That is the main thing,” chief inspector Daskalov says.

Photos: BGNES and archive