Crime in St. Petersburg

The Travel Advice Unit of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London points out that there has been a sharp increase in street crime in St. Petersburg, Russia, since April 2004, with tourists being held up at knifepoint on the metro and buses.

Be especially aware of pickpockets in the main tourist areas. Avoid openly carrying expensive items or anything that might easily identify you as a tourist. Incidents of bogus police officers harassing and robbing tourists are also occurring. If you are stopped, always insist on seeing I.D.

(From a press item — the Russian Tourist Industry Union has requested that police in St. Petersburg step up protection of visitors, citing that in summer 2003 over a 2-day period, 21 of 38 elderly British tourists were robbed on Nevsky Prospekt near the Oktyabrskaya Hotel. The crackdown on roving gang members, which include children, will comprise increased patrols and document checks.)

The London office also advises that visitors take care when drinking with or meeting new acquaintances in bars, restaurants or nightclubs, as there have been incidents of robbery and violence involving foreigners. Do not leave your drinks unattended as they may then be drugged.

Racially motivated attacks by “skinhead” groups do occur in Russia. These racial attacks increase around the anniversary of Hitler’s birthdate of April 20. If you are of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent, take extra care.

Also of note — there is a high threat from domestic terrorism in Russia, with suicide attacks in public places in Moscow representing a particular threat.