British Embassy Madrid press release – 28 June 2012
Britons urged to avoid taking risks with the law – arrests
in Spain rise 9% last year
Alcohol-related incidents cause concern
Around half of those arrested under the age of 34
New figures reveal that between April 2011 and March 2012, British Consulates in Spain handled 1,909 arrests cases involving British nationals, a 9% increase on the previous year. The total included 141 arrests for drugs offences.
The figures are part of a worldwide increase of 6% in Britons arrested overseas, with a total of 6,015 cases against 5,700 in the previous year. Drug arrests worldwide increased by 2%, with the FCO handling 816 cases.
Minister of State for Consular Affairs, Jeremy Browne, said:
“It is important that people understand that taking risks abroad can land them on the wrong side of the law. The punishments can be very severe, with tougher prison conditions than in the UK. Whilst we will work hard to try and ensure the safety of British nationals abroad, we cannot interfere in another country’s legal system.
“We find that many people are shocked to discover that the FCO cannot get them out of jail. We always provide Consular support to British nationals in difficulty overseas. However, having a British passport does not make you immune to foreign laws and will not get you special treatment in prison.”
The statistics, released in advance of the full British Behaviour Abroad report next month, show that Spain and the USA continue to show the highest cases of arrests, with Spain showing a 9% increase on the previous year.
Anecdotal evidence from Embassies and Consulates suggests many incidents are alcohol-fuelled, particularly in popular destinations such as the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, as well as Malta and Cyprus.
Consular staff around the world spend 35% of their time handling cases of Britons who have been arrested or imprisoned. Many have unrealistic expectations of what the FCO can do for them and Brits – particularly youngsters about to embark on summer holidays – should think hard about the consequences of running into trouble with the law.
David Thomas, Consular Regional Director for Spain, said:
“The police on Mallorca and Ibiza have a zero tolerance attitude towards alcohol-fuelled offences and we see many young people being arrested for causing trouble outside bars and clubs at night.
“All too often they think they’ll spend the night in a cell sleeping off their hangover before being let out in the morning. They soon sober up when they realise their British passport does not grant them immunity and they’re alone in a foreign prison cell, unsure of when they’ll be released and unable to speak to officers because they don’t speak the language.
“It’s particularly sad to see younger people throwing away years of their lives, often as a result of a risky decision made in the heat of the moment and after a few too many drinks. Not only can you end up with a criminal record but the effects on your family can be devastating.”
The Consulate in Palma, Mallorca saw the largest increase in arrests last year, while Alicante continues to have the highest total. Drug arrests are greatest on Ibiza (46) and in the Malaga region (34).
| Consulate | Arrests 2010/11 | Arrests 2011/12 | Percentage change |
| Alicante | 507 | 554 | +9% |
| Barcelona | 55 | 63 | +15% |
| Ibiza | 179 | 193 | +8% |
| Las Palmas | 168 | 184 | +10% |
| Madrid | 115 | 103 | -10% |
| Malaga | 394 | 380 | -4% |
| Palma | 195 | 320 | +64% |
| Tenerife | 134 | 112 | -16% |
| TOTAL | 1747 | 1909 | +9% |
Top 20 countries worldwide for total arrests/detentions
|
Country |
Number of Visitors* |
Number of |
Total Arrests |
Percentage increase/ decrease from 2010/11 |
|
Spain |
13,600,000 |
808,000 |
1909 |
9% |
|
USA |
5,525,000 |
829,000 |
1305 |
3% |
|
Thailand |
844,224 |
50,000 |
204 |
2% |
|
United Arab Emirates |
1,000,000 |
100,000 |
201 |
-7% |
|
Cyprus |
1,069,190 |
59,000 |
164 |
9% |
|
China |
939,160 |
47,000 |
149 |
14% |
|
France |
19,300,000 |
253,000 |
142 |
-11% |
|
Canada |
1,000,000 |
611,000 |
123 |
23% |
|
Germany |
2,054,839 |
141,706 |
118 |
9% |
|
Australia |
614,000 |
1,193,000 |
112 |
-10% |
|
Greece |
1,760,000 |
35,000 |
111 |
-1% |
|
Jamaica |
184,355 |
22,000 |
88 |
2% |
|
Norway*** |
600,000 |
18,000 |
73 |
-8% |
|
Egypt |
1,034,000 |
15,000 |
66 |
94% |
|
Turkey |
2,582,054 |
51,000 |
64 |
-19% |
|
Sweden*** |
650,000 |
18,000 |
58 |
-32% |
|
Netherlands*** |
1,512,000 |
49,880 |
57 |
8% |
|
Japan*** |
160,761 |
16,044 |
49 |
-4% |
|
India |
787,000 |
36,000 |
39 |
44% |
|
Belgium*** |
882,000 |
30,000 |
34 |
26% |
*These figures are based on visitor numbers provided by individual country authorities
**Source: IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) 2010 Figure based on Brits living in country for a year or longer
***Visitor figures were provided by the individual country authorities
Top 20 countries in order of most drug arrests
|
Country |
Number of Visitors* |
Number of |
Drug |
Total arrest/ detentions 2011/12 |
Percentage of arrests for drugs 2011/12 |
|
USA |
5,525,000 |
829,000 |
147 |
1305 |
11% |
|
Spain |
13,600,000 |
808,000 |
141 |
1909 |
7% |
|
Jamaica |
184,355 |
22,000 |
65 |
88 |
74% |
|
Thailand |
844,224 |
50,000 |
38 |
204 |
19% |
|
Cyprus |
1,069,190 |
59,000 |
29 |
164 |
18% |
|
Norway |
600,000 |
18,000 |
28 |
73 |
38% |
|
France |
19,300,000 |
253,000 |
27 |
142 |
19% |
|
Canada |
1,000,000 |
611,000 |
21 |
123 |
17% |
|
Serbia |
20,000 |
1,000 |
21 |
26 |
81% |
|
Japan*** |
160,761 |
16,044 |
17 |
49 |
35% |
|
Sweden*** |
650,000 |
18,000 |
16 |
58 |
28% |
|
Germany |
2,054,839 |
141,706 |
15 |
118 |
13% |
|
Peru |
54,000 |
4,000 |
15 |
17 |
88% |
|
Morocco |
205,000 |
3,000 |
13 |
27 |
48% |
|
Australia |
614,000 |
1,193,000 |
12 |
112 |
11% |
|
Brazil |
146,564 |
11,673 |
12 |
16 |
75% |
|
Malta*** |
434,025 |
9,000 |
12 |
32 |
38% |
|
United Arab Emirates |
1,000,000 |
100,000 |
11 |
201 |
5% |
|
Ireland*** |
4,000,000 |
299,000 |
10 |
28 |
36% |
|
Trinidad & Tobago*** |
30,844 |
9,000 |
10 |
14 |
71% |
*These figures are based on visitor numbers provided by individual country authorities
**Source: IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) 2010 Figure based on Brits living in country for a year or longer
***Visitor figures were provided by the individual country authorities
What the FCO can – and can’t – do if you are arrested overseas
| What the FCO can do to help if you are arrested or detained abroad:
- Provide general information about the relevant country, prison conditions and the local legal system, including whether local legal aid is available - Provide a list of local lawyers and local interpreters - Make sure any medical or dental problems are brought to the attention of the police or prison doctor - Take up any justified complaints about ill treatment, personal safety or discrimination with the police of prison authorities - Send money to prisoners from their families – in some countries we can also help British prisoners buy prison ‘comforts’ with money sent by their family and friends - We can also send messages between prisoners and their families - Put prisoners in touch with the prisoners’ welfare charity, Prisoners Abroad - If it is possible, provide information on how a British prisoner may apply for transfer to a UK prison |
| What the FCO cannot do:
- Get a British national out of prison or detention, or get them special treatment because they are British - Offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime - Pay for any costs incurred as a result of being arrested - Forward prisoners parcels sent by family and friends - Prevent the local authorities from deporting a British national upon release |
- For further information on what to do if detained or arrested abroad, visit http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/arrest
- Travellers can research the laws and customs of Spain and other countries they may be visiting by checking out FCO travel advice in advance. The FCO also encourages people to sign up to Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/fcotravel or twitter.com/fcotravel
- The British Behaviour Abroad 2012 report, which discloses the number of consular cases handled across the globe, will be published on 19 July 2012.
For media enquiries contact
Press Office, British Embassy Madrid
+34 917 146 363 / 4
Have Your Say