Passport warning for winter wanderers

Over 290,000 UK Passports Lost or Stolen Each Year
 
As the busy winter booking period for holiday makers begins, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is reminding holidaymakers to keep their passports safe both at home and when on holiday.
 
In 2006 290,996 British passports were reported lost or stolen. While many people safeguard their wallet and personal valuables abroad, their passport is not always such a priority. Last year IPS research showed that people took greater care of their mobile phones and iPods despite passports being worth thousands of pounds to criminals and identity fraudsters. Other research also found that only 7 per cent of people keep their passports in a safe place when at home and 61 per cent fail to fill in the emergency contacts section at the back of the passport.
 
Executive Director for Service Delivery Bernard Herdan said:
 
"It is vital that people take better care of their passports, both at home and abroad.
 
"When someone tells us that their passport is lost or stolen we cancel it on our system, log the details on our database of lost and stolen passports, and notify immigration and law enforcement agencies around the world to try and minimise the risk of it being misused by crooks. Nevertheless, passports are increasingly attractive documents to organised criminals: hijacking someone else´s identity can help facilitate a wide range of even more serious crimes."
 
In addition it is calling on passport holders to do their bit to keep their document safe, IPS has in the last year boosted passport security with tougher background checks on applicants and the introduction of new biometric ePassports. In 2007 it will begin calling first time adult applicants to face to face interviews to make passport fraud even harder.

IPS has issued these tips on how to keep your passport safe:

• Take two photocopies of your passport before your holiday. Leave one with a relative or friend and take the other with you, keeping the copy separate from the original.
• Keep your passport with you when travelling to your destination. Keep it in your hand luggage or in a zipped pocket. Know where it is at all times so that it can be produced promptly when asked for.
• Think carefully about where you keep your passport once you arrive. Think about what might be the safest option according to your surroundings.
• Be wary if ever you are asked to surrender your passport. While some foreign officials may ask for your passport, as may some hotels, check with your travel operator or the British consulate whether or not this is standard procedure.
• Should your passport be stolen or lost while abroad report it to the local police and get in touch with the nearest British consulate or embassy for further advice. The British Consul can issue an emergency passport if necessary.

What to do if you lose your passport
 
You must report a lost or stolen passport to IPS as soon as you can so that it can be cancelled. If this is not done, someone else may try to travel on your passport or use your identity illegally in some other way.
 
If your passport was lost or stolen abroad you should contact the local police. You should also report the missing passport to the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office can give you their contact details. You will also have to fill in a lost and stolen declaration form (LSO1).
 
If your passport was lost or stolen in the UK, you must report this to IPS. All cases of theft must also be reported to your local police station. You must insert the crime reference details in the relevant section of the declaration of loss/theft form (LS01), which you will need to complete and return to IPS.
 
In either case IPS recommends that you apply for a replacement passport as soon as possible, from IPS in the UK or from a British embassy, consulate or high commission overseas.
 
Notes to Editors

1. The Identity and Passport Service was established as an Executive Agency of the Home Office on 1 April 2006. The IPS Mission statement is ´safeguarding your identity´.
2. The IPS database of lost and stolen passports was launched in December 2003.
3. For media enquiries relating to IPS and passports, contact the Home Office Press Office on 020 7035 3535.
4. Further information on IPS and passports is available at www.ips.gov.uk or from the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.
5. Information on the FCO Know Before You Go campaign can be found at www.fco.gov.uk.

24-hour Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (see terms and conditions). Calls made from landline phones are charged at your network provider's national rate, charges for mobile phones may vary depending on your service provider. Live operators are available to assist with your enquiry 24 hours a day.

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