As Crime Increases At Airport Bali Puts More Police On The Beat 

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As a result of rising reports of criminals operating in and around Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International officers have ordered that more police be deployed on duty in the area.

Pickpocketing and theft are the most common crimes at Bali Airport. 

The Head of Public Relations for the Ngurah Rai Airport Police, Inspector Nyoman Darsana, confirmed, to reporters on Wednesday 24th April that these increased patrols are ordered to create safe and comfortable airport security for the people who use airport services.

He told reporters that community activity at Ngurah Rai Airport continues to increase and is close to its pre-pandemic norm.

Inspector Darsana noted that there are several crimes that are of top concern, including theft of suitcases or passenger baggage, pickpocketing, and fraud.

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Inspector Darsana revealed that the most ‘vulnerable’ or at-risk areas for tourists in Bali Airport right now are the arrivals and departure pick-up and drop-off points, ATMs, parking areas, and places of worship within the airport complex.

These are always considered vulnerable areas by security officials operating in airports around the world. This is because they are areas where tourists are most likely to be distracted or open to receiving ‘help’ from a stranger. 

Inspector Darsana confirmed that more police officers and security officials will be stationed around these vulnerable areas to keep a closer eye on all happening in these spaces.

Inspector Darsana told reporters, “Several cases of theft that have occurred at airports should be of concern to the people who use the airport. Pay attention to all your luggage so as not to give criminals the opportunity.”

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 Over the next few weeks, tourists traveling through Bali Airport can also expect to see yet more security officers as the island prepares for the World Water Conference between the 18th and 25th of May.

Over 5,000 additional police officers will be deployed across the island and throughout the conference zone in Nusa Dua to ensure that tourists, delegations, and heads of state will be kept safe for the duration of their time on the island. 

As confirmed earlier this week by Commander Agus Subitanto, the top security leader told the media, “TNI [Indoneisan Army] and Polri will work together with National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) to maintain cyber security during the 10th World Water Forum. We also have prepared evacuation schemes in anticipation of natural disasters.”

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Bali has plenty of experience hosting international conferences and heads of state on official visits since the island hosted the G20 Summit in November 2022.

Indonesian officials are on a mission to make Bali a world-leading destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

They also want to see the Island of the Gods become a destination that can compete with the likes of Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta when it comes to hosting big music events too. 

With security a hot topic in Bali at the moment, some tourism officials are voting concerns that conflicts in the Middle East may influence tourists’ plans to visit the island this coming high season.

The Chairman of the Bali Villa Association (BVA), Putu Gede Hendrawan, told reporters, “For the time being, there is no impact yet…in several places such as the Seminyak, Canggu, and other areas, there are occupancy rates of up to 80-85 percent. However, in general, the average occupancy is 65 percent.”

He noted, however, “The question is whether this condition can persist if the regional conflict [between] Iran-Israel continues… That’s what we don’t know.”

In light of the conflict, some flight paths have been diverted around airspace in the Middle East. 

 Hendrawan shared his concern about the influence this could have on travel to Bali. He said, “Foreign tourists who might want to fly to Bali or Indonesia to travel will feel anxious. Or it could even be canceled.”

“In fact, we, especially Bali, are just in the process of restoring tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the impact may not only be in the region, but could have a global impact.”