The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urges Brits travelling to Italy to undertake four key precautions.

As the Government’s foreign affairs department, the FCDO – among numerous other responsibilities – routinely provides guidance for travel to more than 220 nations and territories across the globe.

Conveniently, each country has its own dedicated section on the FCDO website, where travellers can access information including entry requirements, health advice, and any safety and security measures they should implement before departure and while abroad.

Within its guidance for Italy, the FCDO says: “Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions.”

Consequently, the FCDO advises UK holidaymakers to: maintain sight of belongings at all times; leave any spare cash and valuables in a secure location such as a hotel safe; remain vigilant of thieves using distraction techniques; and avoid carrying all valuables together in pockets or handbags.

Comparable advice applies to other destinations popular with travellers from the UK, including Spain, Greece, France, and Portugal.

Additionally, the FCDO cautions Brits heading to Italy that certain Italian towns and cities have their own specific laws – which visitors could face fines for breaching.

These can include prohibitions on eating and drinking near churches, historic monuments or public buildings, as well as dropping litter, sitting on monument steps and defacing public monuments.

The FCDO adds: “It’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains in many towns and cities, including Florence and Rome or swim in the canals in Venice.

“You could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros for urinating in a public place. On the island of Capri, you must not use or bring on to the island any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays and straws. If you do, you could be fined up to 500 euros.”