Tips for personal safety

Most visitors coming to Ukraine enjoy a trouble free visit. However, as with any country, there are issues which all visitors should be aware of. We aim to outline the most pertinent issues and offer some advice on how to best ensure you are not the victim of crime, accidents or other mishaps.

Travel advice

We advise you before travelling abroad to read up on information about Ukraine and the destinations that you will be visiting. The FCO produces travel advice for all countries and you can find specific information about Ukraine on the FCO website.

ID

Under Ukrainian law British citizens are required to carry their passports at all times to confirm identity and show entry and registration stamps. It is common for local law enforcement to perform a documents check on a foreigner. Failure to provide the original document can be a legal ground to detain the foreign citizen until their identity and legal stay in the country is confirmed.

Crime

Foreigners offer lucrative targets. You should be alert to the risk of street crime and petty theft in large towns, especially in Kyiv.

Pick-pocketing

Pick-pocketing is usually reported in crowded areas, particularly on public transport, around train stations, inside airport terminals, near hotels, exchange shops, in bars and restaurants. Items are taken from jacket pockets or bags on the back of chairs in restaurants and from bags and pockets in crowded places.

Keep your valuables and cash out of sight, especially in areas where pickpockets and bag snatchers operate.          

Scam

Scams are practised in downtown of the city, especially near Ex-pats bars, and involve an attempt to get the victim to pick up or handle a wallet, credit card or bundle of money.

A common example is when a wallet is dropped in front of a tourist. After this, there are various scenarios. The criminal “finds” the money and asks if it is the tourist's and offers to share it . Or when a tourist picks up the item and returns it to the owner, the criminal accuses the victim of stealing money. The criminal either threatens to call the police if the victim does not pay or someone who impersonates a police officer asks the victim to show his/her wallet to ensure that the tourist did not take any money. (Usually local policemen ask for ID not wallet.) When the victim produces his/her wallet, the criminal grabs the money and escapes.

Should you see money or a mobile lying on the pavement, ignore it, carry on your way and do not allow yourself to be engaged by a stranger.

Credit card fraud

Ensure that cash-point machine which you choose to use has not been tampered with. If you have to withdraw a large amount of cash in public places, do so inside the bank and secure your cash prior to leaving the establishment.

Violent crimes

Violent crimes occur mostly when people are under the influence of alcohol late at night, walking alone and in secluded, dark areas of the city. Avoid doing this.

Xenophobia

Harassment of individuals of various ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds by police and civilians has occurred on a number of occasions. Some instances have involved unprovoked violence.

Road travel

Ukraine has the misfortune to suffer amongst the highest road death rates in Europe. Largely this is because many people choose not to wear seatbelts, but is also a reflection of road conditions and road user driving skills. Care should be taken when driving, particularly at night or in adverse conditions.

Taxi

A taxi can be booked in advance over the phone. If you take a taxi off the street, select one from a group of taxi drivers waiting for fares rather than flagging down a passing taxi or civilian vehicle. Agree a fare in advance, or you might find yourself arguing over the price, and this can lead to unwanted and unnecessary confrontation.

Use of metro

Plan your metro route before you set off. Stand back from the edge of the platform, and as the train stops, select a carriage door one or two doors from where you have been waiting. Keep all pockets zipped up/closed and hand bags close to your body.

Summary

Ukraine, in comparison to many countries around the world, is a safe place to live or visit. If individuals conduct themselves in a sensible manner and exercise basic security awareness, they should have a completely trouble free time in Ukraine.

Hints & tips to make yout trip to Ukraine safe:

• read travel advice before going abroad
• register with the Embassy at LOCATE
• have proper insurance
• be streetwise
• respect others and do not use loud or abusive language
• be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times
• keep valuables and money out of sight in crowded areas and tourist spots 
• do not carry unnecessary items in your wallet or bag that you will not use
• keep your credit card and PIN safe; keep track of your payments and your receipts; withdraw money from cash-point machines inside the bank; avoid carrying large sums of cash
• if you see someone drops wallet in front of you, walk away without engaging in conversation with a stranger
• avoid walking alone late at night and in secluded dark areas 
• do not leave drinks unattended and beware of accepting drinks in bars from casual acquaintances as they could be spiked
• be careful when driving, especially at night and outside urban areas
• keep family / friends / colleagues informed about your whereabouts
• remember the details of your accommodation
• book a taxi in advance over the phone.

Reporting a crime to police

If you wish to report a crime to the police in Ukraine you must do it at the police station nearest to the scene of the incident.

Ukrainian law enforcement and emergency response officials generally do not speak English and interpreters are not always readily available, so you will need to take an interpreter with you to the police station and make a report.

In Ukraine crimes must be reported in person. Ukrainian authorities will not accept a claim reported by other means or after the victim has left the country.

Please, note that a police report will be needed when your passport has been lost or stolen and for any insurance and/or compensation claim.

Useful numbers

• Ambulance 103

• Police emergency 102

• Police in Kyiv (in Ukrainian)

• Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) helpline: (+38044) 256 1675

• Ministry of Internal Affairs duty tel: (+38044) 256 1002/4  

• The regional subdivisions of MIA
  

• Department of Traffic Police helpline: (+38044) 272 4659

• Department of Traffic Police duty tel: (+38044) 272 3660