The Hungarian National Police kindly welcome those who would like to visit the
sights and famous places of Hungary or spend some pleasant days or weeks in one
of our favourite holiday resorts. The slogan of the Hungarian National Police:
“to serve and protect” refers to the foreign tourists, too. We would like to serve
and protect you, as well; therefore, it is of importance to inform all the tourists
visiting Hungary about the potential threats that may endanger them.
Above all, you have to know: that in terms of criminality, Hungary statistically
belongs to the countries that are moderately infected by crime. The risk to become
a victim, however is not bigger nor smaller than in any other European countries.
However, there are phenomena that might affect you as a tourist visiting Hungary.
It considerably contributes to the increase in your safety and your joyful, cloudless
stay in Hungary if you are aware of these facts, and prepared, familiar with the
preventive techniques.
About the “thefts by tricks”
Likewise to many European countries, the criminals always look for new methods
in Hungary, too. In some cases, they already spot out their potential victims
at the border-crossings. Elderly travellers, female drivers or those who travel
alone or look tired are especially vulnerable. The criminals follow the victim’s
car and when passing the car they start to wave, give signals showing that the
tyres got flat or any other technical problem has occurred. When the driver slows
down and stops the car, the criminals offer their assistance, accompany the driver
to the back of the car pretending as examining the tyres helpfully. Meanwhile
one of their accomplice stalk to the car, the front door of which often remains
open, and steal all the valuables, documents, cash that can be easily reached
and seen or they steal the car itself. Sometimes the criminals deliberately cause
damage on the car and thus the driver is forced to stop.
In other cases, the criminals wake up the drivers who relax or sleep at a car
park or petrol station saying that a tyre of their car has got flat. Sometimes,
to make it more credible, they really pierce the tyre. While the tired, sleepy
driver’s attention is distracted at the back of the car, one of the criminals
take away the articles left in the car unwatched or steal the car itself using
the ignition key left there. To gain the victims’ confidence, the perpetrators’
cars sometimes have an EU registration plate.
Please take the following advice given by the Police:
- Always keep your passport, wallet, and mobile phone with you!
- Don’t leave valuables and the ignition key when you get out of the car!
- Put your valuables in the boot or carry them!
- Always lock the car doors when leaving the car!
- If you are not travelling alone, one of your company should always stay by the
car!
- Before a longer journey always have the condition of the car checked!
It is good to know:
You can always notice when the tyre gets flat.
The car becomes instable, hardly steerable and a clashing, rattling noise can
be heard from the flat tyre.
If a harm has already happened:
- Immediately notify the Police on the free telephone number 107 or on the free
general emergency number 112.
- Please, try to remember the registration number of car that has left the scene
and description of the criminals.
Don’t forget: thefts by tricks can be prevented with a little bit of care and
cautiousness.