Brits arrested abroad on increase

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Holidaymakers are being advised to ensure they have adequate travel insurance in place after new figures highlighted an increasing number of arrests of Britons in foreign countries.

Significant numbers of British citizens travelling abroad have fallen foul of the authorities in Spain, France, Cyprus, the USA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to statistics released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The country in which British travellers are most likely to end up in hospital is Thailand, which also had the highest proportion of British fatalities compared with visitor numbers.

Foreign Office minister Meg Munn said the report highlighted some of the things can go wrong on holiday.

“It is a reminder to all that taking out comprehensive travel insurance is a crucial part of your holiday planning and not something that should be sacrificed in order to save a few pounds,” she added.

"By carrying out some simple research on the laws, customs and health requirements of a country in advance, many people could prevent their holidays being ruined.

"Meanwhile, a separate survey showed that two thirds of British holidaymakers planned to spend less on preparing for foreign holidays this year, prompting concerns that travel insurance would be one of the cuts in expenditure.

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