It is the height of the travel season here in Bali, and with thousands more people exploring the island, safety and security are a top priority.
Over the last couple of weeks, increased reports have been coming in about crimes against tourists, and here at The Bali Sun, we keep our finger on the pulse of what’s happening about town. Here’s everything you need to know.
The first report to cover is the shooting that took place on Friday, 17th July, in Canggu. Now, Canggu is Bali’s busiest tourism resort by far, and the shooting rocked both local communities and tourists. While low-level but nevertheless distressing crime in Bali is pretty common, violent crime is rare.
Over the weekend, Bali Police have issued updates about the incident in Canggu to help ease fear in the community. The incident took place at a nightclub on Jalan Pantai Berawa, in the heart of the tourist resort of Canggu.
Two people were seriously injured and were rushed to the intensive care unit at Lira Medika Hospital. Badung Police have confirmed that they are still investigating the motive for the shooting.
Police have confirmed the alleged shooter managed to escape, exploiting the panic of witnesses in the aftermath of the attack. Based on preliminary investigations, police suspect the shooter is an Indonesian citizen.
The Acting Head of the Public Relations Sub-Division of the Badung Police, Aiptu Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, told reporters that officers from the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the North Kuta Police immediately arrived at the venue to process the crime scene, set up police tape, interview witnesses, secure evidence, and analyze CCTV footage.
Inastuti told reporters, “There were two victims who suffered gunshot wounds. Victim IMYM suffered a penetrating gunshot wound to the left thigh, while victim EA suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh with the projectile still lodged.”
He added, “Based on preliminary investigation results, the suspect is believed to have left Bali and flown to Jakarta shortly after the incident. The team is currently pursuing him.” This is believed to have been an isolated incident, and there is no further danger to the public in Bali in connection with the incident.
In addition to the shooting in Canggu, in the neighboring neighborhood of Seminyak, and down in Uluwatu, tourists were targeted by opportunistic criminals this weekend.
Police have confirmed that a Dutch national with the initials IEM, 21, had their iPhone 16 in the Uluwatu area, and an Indian national with the initials PP, 28, was the victim of a mugging in Seminyak.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, 19th July, the Head of Public Relations of the Denpasar Police, Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, shared that the incident in Seminyak was an all-too-common snatching attack.
He confirmed, “When the victim PP was waiting for a taxi on the side of the road, a perpetrator came riding a black motorbike and immediately snatched the gold necklace the victim was wearing around his neck.”
Here at The Bali Sun, we are also noting a rising trend in the number of phone snatchings, not attacks on pedestrians, but on moped drivers. More and more tourists are driving mopeds using phone holders on the handlebars, which leaves their devices open and easy to snatch, as was the case in Uluwatu this weekend.
Jaya told reporters a Dutch citizen with the initials IEM was the victim of a theft in the Ocean View area, Jalan Raya Uluwatu.
The tourist had stopped at a minimart and parked his motorcycle with a black iPhone 16 still attached to the motorcycle holder. Fortunately, when he left the shop, the phone was still attached; however, it had been spotted by an opportunistic criminal who swiped the phone as he drove off.
Jaya confirmed, “The Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit is currently handling both cases. Investigators are still investigating to identify the alleged perpetrators.
Tourists travelling in Bali are reminded to move mindfully and to keep their awareness open at all times. It is important to report any and all incidents of crime to Bali Police on 110 as quickly as possible.
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WAYAN BO
Friday 24th of July 2026
Especially worry about upcoming terrorist risk because of war in Middle East.
Ketut
Wednesday 22nd of July 2026
Please all Bali Government needs to wake up right now and tighten all the water borders. To replace more Police Intelligence around to keep the Bali safe. Should check all the domestic tourists from outside Bali to reassurance all the requirement are met if they want to come or stay in Bali. Should asked if they have accomodation, family or enough money to support themselves to lived in Bali. If they don’t have any of those requirements Should go back wherever they come from and send them back home. So many thing needs to change and the rules for them to keep our Bali more secure and safe for the community and for the tourist. I’m Balinese and my husband Australian every time I go back home to visited family in Bali always have to watch our shoulder, which is worry me about my husband walking by himself for his safety. I hope sooner Bali get better and we can retired in Bali❤️
Steve bmi
Tuesday 28th of July 2026
@Peter, you are calling Indonesians outsiders in there own country as ketut is both of you making rookie mistake there bud. Most children as mine in bali know they are Balinese Hindu Indonesian, Country is Indonesia they learn that from 4 years old in garden school
Steve bmi
Tuesday 28th of July 2026
@Peter, they have been saying that since day dot but not too loud. Ketut and yourself maybe for whatever reasons are conveniently forgetting she is Indonesian same as all Indonesians under the Indonesian flag. Imagine saying that about other states in Australia or provinces in newzealand. I know what's said and thought lokaly I'm long time married with Balinese and 3 children. Ketut has the privilege of living outside Bali Indonesia and only visits now and again it seems so now thinks like a westerner hahaha
Peter
Friday 24th of July 2026
@Steve bmi, I would have thought as a native Balinese she would have a better understanding of what's really happening in bali ,many of my local Balinese friends are saying the same thing about outsiders and the overall safety of everyone in bali cheers
Steve bmi
Thursday 23rd of July 2026
@Ketut, so you can travel internationally but your fellow Indonesians can't travel domestically wOW aduh
Hopman
Tuesday 21st of July 2026
Erst Thailand, jetzt auch Bali. In thailändischen Hotspots, wie Pattaya oder Phuket, gehören Diebstähle, Gewalt bis zu Mord und Totschlag schon lange zum Alltag - auf Bali konnte man jahrzehntelang einen entspannten Urlaub genießen, damit scheint es jetzt vorbei zu sein.