MAP: Theft rate the highest at Lake Balaton in these places

Lake Balaton is one of the most preferred holiday destinations in Hungary. There are astonishing beaches on the lake’s northern and southern shores. However, the “Hungarian Sea” is not as safe as you think. Theft rates are high making it hard for holiday-goers to relax. Hungarian police have made a map showing the “most criminal” towns around the lake.

Hungarians tend to think that a towel thrown over valuables provides complete safety from thieves. Thus, the Hungarian police are warning people that they should take better care of their belongings. According to Pénzcentrum, over 1.7 million tourists visited the Hungarian Sea last year, spending over 5.5 million nights there. Many people seek escape from the city’s heat on hot summer days. What could be a better idea than going to Lake Balaton?

The busiest months were July and August. In a crowded place, it is much easier to get away with theft and smaller crimes. Thus, you should really look out for your valuables when going on holiday. Statistics have shown that crime rates are much higher in certain towns around the lake. You might want to take this into consideration before going on a holiday.

Theft rates in towns around Lake Balaton

The website of the Hungarian police provides maps showing the rate of crimes in the area. When selecting theft as the crime for the map to showcase, some of the most popular beaches turn red around Lake Balaton. According to the data from the last 60 days, the most dangerous town is Siófok. Siófok and its surroundings have the highest rate of theft. This might not come as a surprise, as it is one of the busiest towns during the summertime. You should definitely keep an eye out for the railway station and the beach. In addition to that, more serious crimes are also more likely to happen in Siófok.

Theft rates are high in Balatonfüred, Balatonlelle and Balatonboglár as well. However, they are not nearly as bad as in Siófok. Looking at the map, we can say that the northern shore might be safer.

Police’s suggestions

The Hungarian police emphasise taking the right measures to avoid becoming a victim of crime. When we go on holiday, we tend to forget about keeping our belongings safe, as we just want to relax and have a good time. However, a good time can quickly turn into a nightmare if we become victims of theft. According to the police, thieves usually choose elderly people as their victims, but nobody can be truly safe. The Hungarian police suggest the following things:

• Only take as much money as you need. Do not keep cash and credit cards in the same pocket.
• Always keep your bag close to your body, especially in crowds. If you have a backpack, take it off and carry it where you can see it.
• Always put your belongings where you can see them. When going to a restaurant, do not place your wallet on the table.
• If you are travelling by car, make sure to roll all the windows up.
• Do not take valuable things to the beach. If you must, then put them in the lockers.