Shocking summer crime map: this is where the most thefts at Lake Balaton occur

People tend to be less cautious when on holiday; we go away to relax and disconnect from the stress of everyday life. However, excessive serenity, when it turns into inattentiveness, is something that criminals readily exploit. Fortunately, statistics show that Hungary’s Lake Balaton is generally a safe vacation destination. Nonetheless, it’s worth being aware of the areas where thefts at Lake Balaton are more common and what you can do to avoid any unfortunate mishaps.

Based on the Hungarian police database, Pénzcentrum has compiled a list of the regions around Lake Balaton where most crimes are committed and where security is best. As the site reports, the summer crowds can unfortunately attract thieves, so it is useful to know what to look out for on holiday to ensure your trip does not end badly.

Most thefts at Lake Balaton reported on the southern shore

Between May 2023 and May 2024, the highest number of thefts at Lake Balaton was reported to the police in the Siófok district, situated in the south-eastern region of the lake. There were 379 thefts at Lake Balaton per 100,000 people. For comparison, Pénzcentrum also looked at data from Budapest, where 391 thefts per 100,000 people were reported in the same period. This district includes popular holiday destinations such as Zamárdi, Balatonföldvár, Balatonszemes, and Balatonszárszó.

Slightly fewer thefts at Lake Balaton—214 per 100,000 inhabitants—were committed in the neighbouring Fonyód district.

Police data show that the northern coast had much better statistics in terms of thefts at Lake Balaton. In the districts of Keszthely and Tapolca, the number of thefts per 100,000 inhabitants was under 80, while the region near Balatonalmádi had the lowest number of thefts, with only 70 per 100,000 people.

Looking at the so-called crime heat map of the police, which provides visuals of the last sixty days of data regarding thefts at Lake Balaton, it is clear that cases are concentrated around Siófok, Balatonfőzfő, Balatonlelle, Fonyód, and Keszthely.

Crime heat map. PrtSc from police.hu

When it comes to robberies (theft accompanied by coercion or assault), Tapolca and its surroundings in the north-western part of Lake Balaton fared worst. However, it is important to clarify what “worst” means in this context: there were only 34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in one year. Siófok was second in terms of robberies, with 16 cases per 100,000 people. No robberies were reported to the police in the Keszthely and Balatonalmádi areas.

In addition to thefts at Lake Balaton, statistics show that car safety is also worse on the southern shore. Fortunately, the number of car break-ins was negligible: in the worst-performing region, once again the district of Siófok, there were 14 car break-ins per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the districts of Fonyód and Marcali, also on the southern shore, there were 9 such cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past year.

On the northern side, there were no such incidents in the districts of Keszthely, Tapolca and Balatonfüred.

Tips for a safe holiday

Although holidays are a time for relaxation, it is important to keep a few tips in mind to avoid becoming a victim of muggers. The Hungarian police offer the following advice:

Do not take valuable items to the beach – if you do, use a safe.
Take only as much money with you as you absolutely need.
Keep cash in a separate pocket from credit cards.
Keep shoulder bags and backpacks in front of you and hold them tightly on public transport and in crowded places.
Do not leave valuables out of sight.
Do not put your wallet on the table when sitting in an outdoor restaurant.
When travelling by car, do not leave valuables in the passenger compartment, and check that the windows are rolled up when leaving your vehicle.
Do not take valuable items to the beach—if you do, use a safe.

Photo: Helló Magyar

Finally, it is important to know that travel insurance can also help avoid any costly problems, such as thefts at Lake Balaton, on holiday. As well as health insurance, baggage insurance, travel document replacement, personal liability insurance, legal assistance, supplementary sports insurance and car assistance are available options to ensure your holiday does not turn sour.