Bali police warn of rise in crimes against tourists

Police in Bali have warned of a worrying rise in crimes targeting foreigners on the resort island, following the stabbing of a British tourist this week. "¨"¨

A 59-year-old male tourist from the UK was stabbed during a break-in at his rented villa in South Kuta.

It was the fourth burglary in the area in the past two months in which a foreigner has been the victim, the Jakarta Globe reported.

South Kuta police said the man was woken up by an unknown number of men breaking into the villa. He attempted to fight them off but was stabbed in the thigh. "¨"¨He said the perpetrators then fled with a number of his belongings.

The victim was able to alert neighbors and was taken to hospital for treatment.

"¨On August 9, thieves stole about $53,000 in cash and personal belongings from the rented Ubud villa of a Japanese man.

In July, in Gianyar, an American woman lost $600 in cash, a camera and a cellphone, while Sanur police are investigating a burglary in which an Australian woman lost cash and several documents.

The Denpasar police chief has called on both residents and tourists to be on heightened alert for suspicious people or activities. "¨"¨

With permission from Travelmole