If you are going to Spain and are travelling by car, you need to be careful, officials said
If you are going to Spain and are travelling by car, you need to be careful, officials said
Travel
Sophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer
11:15, 08 Apr 2025Updated 11:27, 08 Apr 2025
Spanish tourists heading on holiday soon are being warned to be aware of what could happen when they get in a car. Whether you or someone else is driving, the Foreign Office are warning people to “be wary”.
On the GOV.UK website, under the safety and security page, they talk about “vehicle crime” which is a common occurrence in the country. In their warning they say that “Highway pirates target foreign-registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans.”
These so-called pirates often flag cars down and lie, telling drivers and the people in the targeted car that “something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs”.
If this happens the Foreign Office warns: “If you decide to stop to check the condition of a vehicle, stop in a public area with lights, such as a service station. Be wary of anyone offering help.”
As well as this, the travel experts note that when driving, “be wary of approaches from people posing as plainclothes police in unmarked cars. In all traffic-related matters, police officers will usually be in uniform.
“Unmarked police vehicles have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window saying ‘Policía’ or ‘Guardia Civil’. Genuine police will only ask you to show vehicle documents – not to hand over your bag or wallet.”
