Image of Rikki Stevens.  

Rikki Stevens

Benidorm - Safety
   
rikki@rikkistevens.com
    

Montage of images of Rikki Stevens.Your holiday in Benidorm will be a memorable one for many reasons e.g. fabulous beaches, great entertainment (from great entertainers), good weather and value for money.

However, like most of the popular holiday resorts all over the world, Benidorm does have its dark side and you may find yourself a victim of muggers, pickpockets and con men. I have therefore added this section to the web site to help you to recognise and avoid these dangers.

Top of the list is a well organised gang the locals call 'The Pea Men'. They are a gang of about eight to twelve people who will suddenly appear on a busy street and seem to be enjoying themselves gambling and always winning money.

Their game is finding a pea hidden under one of three half cut potatoes being shuffled on top of a makeshift table - normally made from two cardboard boxes taped together. The object of the con is to make the Tourist believe that it's easy to win money on this game, but when they bet they find that it is impossible to find the pea and lose every time. These people are conmen and also pickpockets and will not hesitate to use violence against anyone who tries to stop them - please avoid them at all costs.

Number two on the list is The Yellow Brick Road. Officially, part of Avenida de Múrcia, this is a pathway which runs down from the Rio Park Hotel past the shopping centre to Calle Gerona. It is easily recognisable by the faded yellow brick tiles that make up the pathway and give it its name.

The Yellow Brick Road is a favourite haunt of muggers, normally working in teams of two to three people who will wait in the early hours of the morning in the hope of finding a lone Tourist making his or her way home, usually merry, and who is an easy target. The easy answer to this one is that if you find yourself alone and its late, USE THE TAXIS as its better to spend three or four euros than lose everything you have and receive a beating.

Number three on the list is The Gypsy Women. These women wear long flowing skirts and head scarfs and appear to be begging, but they are more likely to pick your pocket or steal from a handbag. One of their favourite cons is the small rose they try and put in your pocket whilst removing any valuables from the pocket at the same time. Once again their target is the lone drunk.

Remember these three things and your holiday will be a lot safer and happier and you might come back again to Benidorm and keep me busy as I love this town and want it to remain the best holiday resort on the planet.

Thank you for you attention and stay safe!

Rikki Stevens

September 2007

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