Crime in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian crime rate is far lower than in the UK. A study in 2003/4 showed 283,000 reported robberies in the UK compared to 13,092 in Bulgaria. The most common crimes in Bulgaria are minor theft and car crime. Burglary is rare, particularly in rural areas, however there are a number of security firms who can install an alarm in your property and send security guards in the event of a break-in. These services vary in price according to your location and the sophistication of the alarm system, but you should expect to pay £17 - £28 per month. Most new developments include security and often have a guard on duty around the clock.
Some common sense advice is keep to well-lit areas at night, and do not walk across parks in the dark. Pickpockets are most active in the city centres and in areas frequented by tourists. Make sure your bag has a zip and try to avoid using a rucksack. Do not leave your luggage unattended and be especially careful when taking pictures as you will not be concentrating on your wallet or bag. A handbag placed on the floor or hanging on the back of your chair in a restaurant is an open invitation to it being stolen.
You will always tend to feel safe in Bulgaria even if out on your own at night. It is rare to see drunken behaviour or violence, even in the capital. The villages are even more laid back and crime free but be aware of pickpockets targeting English people in the sea resorts.
When you travel to Bulgaria, the chances are that you will have a safe and incident-free trip. There are however, some simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Safety begins when you pack. To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress so as to mark yourself as an affluent tourist. Wearing expensive-looking gold, for instance, can draw the wrong attention.
Carry the minimum number of valuables on your person when you leave the hotel. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to take them with you, put them somewhere safe. Avoid handbags and outside pockets that are easy targets for a thief. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are much safer. One of the safest places to carry valuables is in a money belt worn under your clothing.
Always pack a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier if it is lost or stolen.
Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. If possible, lock your luggage.
Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave these items at home -
- jewellery
- irreplaceable family objects
- unnecessary credit cards
- expensive mobile phones - Buy an unlocked phone for £10 from Asda and take that !
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.
Make two photocopies of your passport, airline tickets and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy with family or friends at home; pack the other copy in a separate place from the originals.
Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad. Consider purchasing a policy designed for travellers which covers short-term health care and emergencies.
Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer to be your guide or who try to sell you something at a bargain price.
When you’re out
• only carry a small sum of money with you - avoid taking more than you need
• if you carrying a lot of cash ask your partner or friend to carry some for you
• keep a small amount of money in your wallet and the rest in a secure money belt or inside pocket
• beware of pickpockets. They tend to operate in Sofia and are very good at what they do!
• leave your cash, cards and travellers’ cheques in a hotel safe – check it is secure
• keep a copy of your credit card’s emergency cancellation phone number with you at all times
• take a small amount of money to cover emergencies
Lawyers
Emerge (UK) ltd are happy to recommend these English speaking Bulgarian lawyers. They can help with your property purchase and advise in the event of emergency
Ivo Minkov
5 Pirotska Str
Rousse 7000 Bulgaria
Email: minkov@lawyer.com
Office: 00359 82 834 031
Mobile: 00359 88 886 73 10
Ivelina Ivanova
9 Petko D. Petko Street
Office 4
Rousse 7000 Bulgaria
Email: ivaconsult@abv.bg
Office: 00359 82 872 278
Mobile: 00359 886 78 10 37
The Bulgarian Embassy will supply a full list of English speaking Bulgarian lawyers
www.bulgarianembassy-london.org
Telephone number 0207 5849 400
The Foreign Commonwealth Office can also help
www.fco.gov.uk
Telephone number 0207 7008 1500
Несмотря на репутацию для организованной преступности, болгарский уровень преступности далеко более низок чем в Великобритании. Изучение в 2003/4 показало что 283.000 сообщило разбойничества в Великобритании сравненной до 13.092 в Бугарска. Самые общие злодеяния в Бугарска похищение и злодеяние автомобиля. Ограбление редко, в частности в сельских районах, тем ме менее несколько фирм обеспеченностью которые могут установить сигнал тревоги в ваше свойство и послать предохранители sercurity в случае break-in. Эти обслуживания меняют в цене согласно вашему положению и сложности аварийной системы, но вы должны рассчитывать оплатить £17 - £28 в месяц. Большинств новые разработки включают обеспеченность и часто имеют предохранитель на обязанности вокруг часов.
Некоторая консультация здравого смысла содержание к well-lit областям на ноче, и не гуляет через парки в темноте. Pick-pockets самые активные в центрах города и в зонах часто посещанных туристами. Убеждайтесь что ваш мешок имеет застежку -молнию и попытку, котор нужно во избежание использовать рюкзак. Не выйдите ваш багаж бесхозный к. Держите ваши ценности в сейфе гостиницы. Специально тщательн фотографируя по мере того как вы не будете концентрировать на ваших бумажнике или мешке. Сумка помещенная на поле или висеть на задней части вашего стула в ресторане открытое будучи украденной приглашение к ей.
Вы всегда будете чувствовать безопасными в Бугарска даже если вне на ваших на ноче. Она редка увидеть запойное поведение или расправу, даже в София. Села даже больше положенные задняя часть и злодеяние свободно но отдавали себе отчет pick-pockets пристреливая английские людей в курортах моря!