Safety Concerns Grow For Tourists Visiting Bali’s Kuta And Jimbaran

Share The Article

Tourists in Bali are being warned of the risk of being the target of crimes in the popular resort areas of Kuta and Jimbaran.

Despite increased patrols by local police, in recent weeks, bag snatching attacks have been recorded once again. 

This time, a tourist couple riding a motorcycle on Jalan Blong Keker in Jimbaran on Sunday, 7th September they were attacked by a bag snatching thief. CCTV footage shows the couple driving along Jalan Blong Keker when a man on an unidentified motorcycle corrals them from the left side, then stops directly in front of them. 

The tourist driver stopped his motorcycle during the confrontation in response to the reckless driving of the criminal. The attacker then snatched the phone from the holder on the tourist’s motorcycle and sped away. The tourist couple can be seen chasing after, but were unsuccessful at catching him. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

Speaking to reporters, the South Kuta Police Chief, I Komang Agus Dharmayana W, confirmed that his personnel responded immediately to the snatching after receiving a complaint from someone named Lisa via the 110 call center. The South Kuta Police’s UKL team, led by supervisory officer (Pawas) AKP I Wayan Suwita, immediately arrived at the scene.

He shared that upon arriving at the scene, officers were no longer able to find the victim or the person reporting the incident. Officers also attempted to call the number that filed the report, but received no response. Police Chief Dharmayana told reporters, “Our personnel have visited the scene, but have not met with the reporter. We have contacted them, but have not received any response. We are still investigating the perpetrator.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pantai Kuta Bali (@kutabeach.official)

This attack comes just days after another attack on a tourist took place in Kuta. The attack took place on Jalan Kubu Anyar in Kuta on Monday, 1st September. CCTV footage of the incident was circulated online, and a police investigation is underway.

The CCTV footage shows the victim walking with another woman believed to be her mother. At the time, the victim and her mother were about to cross from the left lane to the right lane. The victim was on the right.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

The footage shows that as the pair were preparing to cross the road from the opposite direction, a man on a black moped wearing a grey helmet and black coat turned around in front of them. Speaking to the media, Kuta Police Chief, Commissioner Agus Riwayanto Diputra, confirmed the robbery.

He said the attacker seems to have failed to take the victim’s necklace. He told reporters, “At that time, the victim was about to cross the road. The perpetrator came on a motorbike and immediately pulled the victim’s necklace. Fortunately, the victim’s necklace didn’t break. However, the victim fell to the asphalt due to the force of the pull.”

He urged the public to report any suspicious activity and any incidents of crime. Despite there being anecdotal reports of Bali Police failing to respond to calls, in the vast majority of cases when incidents are reported quickly, belongings are located and returned, and attackers are held to account. 

The Police Chief has called on the public to report any potential crime in their area by contacting the 110 call center. He said, “We invite the entire community to work together to maintain security and order, because conducive public order and security is not only the task of the Police, but our shared responsibility.”

Badung Police have confirmed that they are conducting increased night patrols, especially in populated areas that are visited by tourists. The patrols are also an effort to help crack down on anti-social behaviour by young people and drink driving. 

Speaking separately, the Head of the Public Information Sub-Division of the Badung Police Public Relations Department, Aiptu Ayu Inastuti, to reporters, “We are committed to continuously enhancing preventive measures to ensure that the Badung Police jurisdiction remains safe, secure, and free from crime.”

Adding “Through this activity, we hope to raise public awareness, especially among teenagers, to be wiser in their activities at night and to participate in maintaining environmental order.”