Tourists Warned Of Increased Robberies At Popular Bali Beach

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The authorities in Bali are urging tourists to keep a close eye on their belongings when visiting the island’s most popular beaches.

This is because Bali Police have confirmed that there has been a recent rise in the number of tourist robberies at the vacation destination’s busiest resorts. 

During the vacation high season, Bali always sees a small but significant spike in the number of reported cases of crime in popular resort areas.

This is because as the area becomes busier, it is easier for opportunistic thieves to prey upon unsuspecting tourists who are relaxed and exploring with their minds in ‘holiday mode.’

With that vacation, mind activated, sometimes tourists let their guard down and forget to take simple and essential personal safety steps to ensure that their belongings are always safe while enjoying Bali’s beaches and top attractions. 

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Police in Klungkung Regency, home to popular coastal vistas like Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Angles Billabong on Nusa Penida, have been conducting what is known as Enhanced Routine Activities.

These are additional community patrols in busy areas where they chat with members of the public, including tourists, about issues happening in the area.

At Batu Tempeng Beach, back on the main island of Bali, police chatted with tourists to remind them to keep a close eye on their personal belongings, especially while sunbathing, swimming in the ocean, or surfing. 

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Klungkung Regency Police Officer I Gede Aryawan told reporters, “We advise tourists who come to the beaches to be careful about putting valuables in a safe place when surfing in the beach waves…Our personnel are deployed for patrol activities both day and night.”

Over in Seminyak, police have also been conducting additional patrols to help prevent thefts against tourists and respond to an apparent rise in the number of motorcycle thefts around the Petitenget Beach area. 

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Speaking to reporters following a patrol, the Head of the Badung Police Satpolairud Team, AKP I Made Sutamia, said the increase in security patrols is conducted in line with the larger number of tourist visits to the area to help suppress potential cases of theft. 

AKP Sutamia explained, “To maintain security and order in this area, we are increasing patrols and surveillance, especially in parking lots, which are often vulnerable points, and along the beaches. Increased patrols are also an anticipation when there are visitors who need police assistance.”

He reiterated that tourists should keep their wits about them when visiting Seminyak’s beaches and the surrounding resort.

He was clear that motorcycle thefts are targeting tourists who have rented motorcycles to explore the island on their own terms.

He reminded tourists to double-check that they have the keys on them before leaving their rented motorcycle parked, to keep helmets either locked in the seat or locked to the bike, and not to carry around visibly valuable items that could ‘trigger criminals to take action.’

AKP Sutamia added, “Cooperation from all parties is very necessary to maintain a conducive situation in this region. At least the community can become their own police.”

In the unlikely event that tourists in Bali become victims of theft, robbery, or mugging, it is essential to report the incident to the police immediately.

If it is not possible to get access to a phone to call the police, tourists are advised to visit the closest pecalang or linmas station, or seek support from their accommodation.

These local security stations don’t often look like big police stations or buildings but rather small shalas, community halls, or hang-out spots where local security leaders are stationed on standby to assist community members in need, including tourists.

Linmas and pecalang officers can usually help contact the police and help mobilize a local security team to immediately start tracking down any stolen items.

Despite anecdotes that suggest many people do not have their belongings returned, in reality, the quicker an incident is reported, the more likely the authorities will be able to catch the offender and return the items safely.