How safe is your summer holiday destination? Global threat levels revealed

Planning your holiday? Check the latest threat levels from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office first

Have you planned your summer holiday yet?

The recent terror attack in Manchester and the country being put on a critical threat level as a result has caused many holiday-makers to think twice about booking a trip.

Whilst the terror threat in the UK has since been reduced from critical to severe, many people continue to be worried about the possibility of terror threats throughout the rest of the world.

The latest international threat levels have been revealed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Here are some destinations that are popular with Birmingham travellers – and the current government expert advice on travelling to them.

Spain

Security status: Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain

This is a popular destination for Birmingham mums , dads and kids during the school holidays .

Spanish police have disrupted a number of groups suspected of recruiting individuals to travel to Syria and Iraq from 2015 to the present date. Some of them expressed an intention to carry out attacks in Europe.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Holiday-makers should be vigilant at this time.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. The Spanish authorities take measures to protect visitors, but travellers should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities.

Turkey

Security status: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey

This is often seen as the place to go for a bargain break.

But a number of terrorist groups are active. Since 2015 there has been an increase in PKK (Kurdish separatist) terrorist activity in south-east Turkey.

There have been a number of attacks by other groups including suicide attacks by Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), attacks by the far left DHKP(C) and the Kurdish separatist group TAK, including in cities such as Ankara and Istanbul.

Terrorist groups, including Daesh and the TAK, have publicly threatened to attack tourist sites in Turkey.

Further attacks are likely.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect places visited by foreigners.

There is a heightened risk of terrorist attack against the aviation industry in Turkey and travellers should co-operate fully with security officials at airports.

Portugal

Security status: Terrorist attacks in Portugal can’t be ruled out

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Holiday-makers should be vigilant at this time.

France

Security status: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France

Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures.

However, around 17 million British nationals visit France every year and most visits are trouble-free. The most common problem reported is pick-pocketing.

Greece

Security status: Terrorist attacks can’t be ruled out

There have been several attacks involving explosives and automatic weapons against Greek institutions, shopping malls, media interests, diplomatic targets and the police.

So future terrorist attacks in Greece can’t be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners. High profile British interests in Greece should be vigilant and regularly review their security measures.

British nationals aren’t normally considered a specific target, but attacks could happen in places visited by foreigners.

Italy

Security status: Terrorists are likely to carry out attacks in Italy

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.

Approximately 3 million British nationals visit Italy every year. Most visits are trouble-free.

Italy will impose border controls on all travellers between May 10 and 31, 2017 to enhance security ahead of the G7 Leaders Summit in Taormina. Expect delays and allow extra time to transit passport control at airports, seaports and border crossings.

Jamaica

Security status: There is no recent history of terrorism in Jamaica

Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Jamaica attacks can’t be ruled out.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Travellers should be vigilant at this time.

United States of America

Security status: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the USA

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners and travellers should monitor media reports and be vigilant at all times.

The main threat comes from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) and al Qaeda, to carry out so-called ‘lone actor’ attacks targeting public events or places, as demonstrated by attacks in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota over the weekend of September 7-18 2016, Orlando on June 12 2016 and San Bernardino on December 4 2015, among others.

Attacks could take place with little or no notice.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Travellers should be vigilant at this time.

Egypt

Security status: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.

Around 231,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2016 and most visits are trouble-free.

However holidaymakers have been warned to be vigilant at all times, avoid crowded places and to follow the advice of the Egyptian authorities and their travel company.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has also advised against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, and all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

However the FCO advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh; the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.

There’s a heightened risk of terrorism against aviation and the FCO is advising against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh.

Australia

Security status: Terrorism threat level is ‘probable’

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Australia.

Australia’s current national terrorism threat level is ‘probable’.

Over 670,000 British nationals visit Australia every year and most visits are trouble-free.

However Australia is a vast country and journeys should be planned carefully, particularly if people are travelling to remote areas.

On 26 November 2015, the Australian government changed its national terrorism threat advisory system.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

Travellers should be vigilant and take sensible precautions.

Bahamas

Security status: There is no recent history of terrorism in the Bahamas

Almost 28,000 British nationals visited the Bahamas in 2015 and most visits are trouble-free.

However the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said that attacks can’t be ruled out.

The UK health authorities have also classified the Bahamas as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

Cape Verde

Security status: There is no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde

Most visits to Cape Verde are trouble-free, but sensible precautions should be taken against petty crime.

However while the risk of terrorism is low attacks can’t be ruled out.

UK health authorities have also classified Cape Verde as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

Dominican Republic

Security status: There is no recent history of terrorism in the Dominican Republic

However while the risk is low attacks can’t be ruled out.

Some 142,083 British nationals visited the Dominican Republic in 2015 and most visits are trouble-free, but there are incidents of crime and violence.

Travellers should take extra care on the road between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

There have been incidents of armed robberies of foreign nationals in 2016 on the Dominican side of the border by criminals dressed as police officers.

Hong Kong

Security status: There is no recent history of terrorism in Hong Kong but attacks can’t be ruled out

Tourists should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those visited by foreigners.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Some 529,505 British nationals visited Hong Kong in 2015. Most visits are trouble free, however travellers should be vigilant at this time.

Mexico

Security status: Low threat from terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism in Mexico however travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by foreigners.

There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Travellers should be vigilant at this time.

Courtesy Newsrep