Police in Bali have issued updated safety advice to tourists visiting the province after a tourist robbed Tegal Wangi Street in the popular resort of Kuta.
Police have urged tourists to be mindful of their belongings and to reconsider wearing expensive jewelry while exploring the resort.
A 29-year-old tourist, known by her initials AG, was visiting Kuta last month when she was attacked by a Balinese man from Karangasem Regency.
Now that the man in question has been arrested and charged, the police were able to reveal more details about the attack which took place on 4th January 2025 at around 9 pm at night.
The Chief of Police of Kuta, AKP Agus Riwayanto Diputra, explained, “The suspect forcibly pulled a gold necklace containing a 22-carat pendant weighing 6 grams worth AUD 360, which was worn by the victim until it broke off.” The police were immediately called and an investigation was launched.
On Wednesday 10th January Bali Police successfully located the 20-year-old at a boarding house in Kuta. AKP Diputra told reporters “The perpetrator was successfully secured, with evidence of clothing and motorcycle, the perpetrator with a fake license plate and IDR 100,000 in cash.”
He revealed that the man confessed that he was engaging in crime in order to fund his day-to-day living expenses.
AKP Diputra concluded, “Tourists are urged to be careful, do not give the perpetrator a chance.” As a tourist, it is unfortunate to hear this advice. In areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, and Uluwatu, tourists are being urged to be careful while heading out to explore, especially at night.
Where possible, tourists are advised to travel by taxi or private driver, using the safety features available to them should they opt to use online ride-hailing services such as Grab, GoJek, or iDrive.
Tourists should be mindful of their surroundings, especially if walking down resort streets at night. Be mindful not to carry any high-value items where possible, and if carrying or wearing high-value items such as phones, cameras, or jewelry, keep them covered as you walk. Though these kinds of incidents are rare, they are not unheard of.
Drive-by robberies and attacks, like that experienced by AG, are reported on at least a monthly basis. Criminals riding mopeds drive past their chosen victim in one direction, eyeing up what it is they want, then circle back and grab what they can, whether that be a handbag, phone, wallet, jewelry, or camera.
It is not only tourists who are being targeted. In Saba Village in Gianyar, over the weekend, a local man was mugged by a man who threatened him with a knife on Jalan Bypass Ida Bagus Mantra in the early hours.
The incident was reported to the police and Blahbatuh Police Chief, Commissioner I Made Berata, confirmed to reporters that increased patrols of the area will now be carried out.
Kompol Berata shared We patrol every day, and this time we have increased it. We are still investigating the incident. During yesterday’s patrol, we checked everything suspicious.” He added, “We are all guarding our homeland.”
Late at night and in the early morning is when these kinds of attacks have been reported most. However, looking at trends, many of these robberies seem to be opportunistic. On 4th February, a Russian tourist had her bag stolen on Pererenan Beach in the early afternoon time.
Fortunately, since the incident was reported to local police and local security teams known as pecalang, the bag and its contents were quickly recovered and the man in question was arrested.
While Bali remains a safe and welcoming tourist destination, it is not uncommon for small waves of crime to travel through the region. This always leads to a period of stricter law enforcement and police patrols and caseloads fall. Tourists are urged to report any and all crimes to Bali Police as quickly as possible.
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Steve bm
Thursday 20th of February 2025
Perhaps the authorities can do sweeps of kuta dps boarding houses round up the thugs with no purpose and 5000 prostitutes and send them back to Java and the islands. If they want to clean up the image start with that and pick up the Mafia at the airport as they leave
Exp
Thursday 20th of February 2025
Bali tourists need to be aware of another risk which is the violent security guards at many popular venues:
As I predicted in my comments a few days ago regarding the five Australians fighting off security outside Finns; The police is now investigating at least 8 Finns security for beating one of the Australians violently. This prior to the video going viral a few days ago.
Finns management is also under scrutiny as they apparently attempted to cover up the abuse, mislead the police and tried to "make peace" with the Australians.
Security at tourist zone venues are monopolized and controlled by ormas like Laskar Bali. These ormas have many thousand members and connections with some police and some politicians, hence they operate with impunity. Looks like they might have overstepped this time with many witnesses to a serious beating of a foreigner.
LINK
Peter
Wednesday 19th of February 2025
How embarrassing bali,surely it's tourists committing these crimes will hear it nearly every week about how bad tourists are in bali,rubbish tourists fault traffic jams tourists fault, loud motor bikes no helmets must be tourists only riding around and drag racing,karma is coming bali
Randy
Thursday 20th of February 2025
@Peter, Over mass tourism and perhaps people from East of Bali perpetrating petty thefts. Balinese people know too well and also complain about the truck drivers not from Bali. They are not abiding by the traffic rules. Some foreigners are following what some of the locals do. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” Mentality. Some foreigners are happy to drive around Bali as if it is a rite of passage and what it meant to break traffic rules when in their country of origin things would not get off that easily. Think about that...