Brits Abroad: UK nationals arrested worldwide highlight travel hotspots

Britain’s reputation abroad has long tracked headlines about chaotic holidays and legal peril for visiting UK nationals. The Foreign Office estimates about 6,000 UK nationals are arrested overseas each year, while the charity Prisoners Abroad says it is currently supporting nearly 1,800 Britons in foreign jails. The figures, which cover only those who seek help, offer a snapshot of where travelers end up behind bars. Offenses range from low-level drunken disturbances and public disorder to drug smuggling, armed robbery and kidnapping plots. Drug offences account for about 40% of cases handled by Prisoners Abroad, with sexual crimes making up roughly 14%. The neon strips of Phuket, the beaches of Brazil and the resort belts of the Caribbean have all seen Britons hauled before judges; Australia, the United States and parts of South America are consistently cited as hotspots for drunken assaults, drug busts and violent clashes.

From a crypto broker allegedly thrown from a Costa del Sol balcony to armed robbers hunted down in Koh Samui, Britain’s international image on the wrong side of the law has resurfaced in headlines and travel advisories. In Spain, the country’s long-running status as a magnet for British tourists is under renewed scrutiny as arrests persist. About 16 to 18 million Brits visit Spain each year, and while the Foreign Office stopped releasing country-by-country arrest tables in 2014, Spain has historically topped the charts. Prisoners Abroad says 92 Britons are in Spanish jails—the highest figure in Europe.

Recent incidents in Spain underscore ongoing concerns about behavior abroad. In June, footage from Tenerife showed two British women clawing at each other outside the Las Verónicas nightclub strip, one tackling the other to the ground and both trading punches as bystanders filmed on their phones. The clip circulated on social media, provoking criticism and comments that the trend was worsening. In Ibiza, a so-called sunset boat party ended in carnage when dozens of Brits erupted into a mass brawl on deck, with chairs and other objects flung as locals and tourists watched in alarm.

Authorities have also linked episodes of organized crime with Britons abroad. In Ibiza, police investigated a group of Britons alleged to have stolen goods worth about €100,000, captured on CCTV as the suspects sped off in a car, then burned the vehicle to destroy evidence. In Ceuta, Civil Guard officers arrested a 69-year-old British man at the ferry terminal after discovering 62 kilos of cannabis resin hidden in a secret roof compartment in his UK-registered car; the haul was bound for a ferry to Algeciras and he now faces drug-trafficking charges. Separately, there were reports of a crypto-investment fraud operation in the Costa del Sol corridor, with police raids recovering weapons, cash and other evidence.

Beyond Spain, the pattern of trouble extends across Asia and the Middle East. In July 2025, three Britons in Bali were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after being stopped at the airport with nearly a kilogram of cocaine disguised as dessert mix; the case underscored Indonesia’s strict narcotics penalties, though all three could be released early given time served. Executions for drug crimes have been paused since 2017, but hard penalties remain common.

In Australia, high-profile cases have drawn international attention. In October 2024, British rapper and YouTuber Yung Filly, real name Andrés Felipe Barrientos, was arrested in Brisbane and extradited to Perth to face four counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of strangulation. Barrientos has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces ongoing investigations that also involve a separate incident in Spain involving a British tourist in Magaluf. As of September 2025, he has been permitted to return to the UK temporarily under strict bail conditions, with a requirement to return to Western Australia by January 7, 2026, and to surrender his passport on return.

Meanwhile, in Perth, another British traveler pleaded guilty to fatally striking a man while riding an electric scooter while intoxicated, an incident that has prompted further court proceedings and potential long-term penalties.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai remains a magnet for holidaymakers but also a place where even minor slips can carry heavy penalties. The country hosts roughly 1.5 million British visitors annually, and its strict laws have led to serious cases, including a life sentence for a 23-year-old woman after police found 50 g of cocaine. The case has drawn public attention amid debates over the balance between tourism and strict justice.

Globally, some cases involve younger Britons facing decades in prison. In Georgia, 19-year-old Bella May Culley from Billingham was detained at Tbilisi airport in May after reportedly carrying 12 kilograms of cannabis and 2 kilograms of hashish, while in Sri Lanka a 21-year-old former flight attendant, Charlotte May Lee, was arrested after customs officers claimed her bags contained 46 kilograms of cannabis worth more than £1 million. Both remain in custody as investigations continue.

In Europe, Greece has also been a flashpoint. With about 4.5 million British visitors annually, Greece has seen a string of incidents, from late-night violence to property damage. In Rhodes, three British men aged 17 to 27 were convicted of assaulting a nightclub owner and damaging property; one suspect allegedly threatened the victim with a knife, and a 42-year-old man reportedly lost several teeth. In Corfu, five British pole dancers were detained after filming themselves gyrating semi-naked outside a historic landmark, triggering charges of violating archaeological law and degrading the area. The episode followed earlier scandals in Zakynthos, where nine British women and six men faced prostitution-related charges after an alleged sex-staging stunt in 2008.

Turkey has drawn attention for violent flare-ups in popular destinations such as Alanya and Antalya. In Alanya, a mass brawl between six Britons and local shopkeepers sparked extensive clashes; in another incident, a separate altercation involved two British women in June. Turkish authorities have noted the high volume of British visitors—about four million per year—and warned that fights and disorder can trigger swift enforcement. In Antalya, a separate incident involving a drunken guest led to police intervention and legal actions.

Further afield, Thailand has seen a string of serious crimes tied to tourism. In Koh Samui, Thai police arrested a British man allegedly posing as an influential businessman, while a separate group of Britons was linked to a case in which a car theft ring used the resort island to plan further offenses. A separate case in Chiang Mai showed a British national being beaten after allegedly accruing a £460 bar bill. In the capital’s broader resort network, Thailand remains a hotspot for both petty disturbances and more serious fraud and trafficking concerns.

Across the Atlantic, Greece, Turkey and the wider Mediterranean region contribute to a pattern of activity that charities and law groups say are often fueled by alcohol and all-inclusive packages. Prisoners Abroad and other advocacy groups argue that alcohol-fueled environments can contribute to disorder and crime while traveling. The reports underscore why the “Brits Abroad” label persists in public discourse: a combination of heavy tourist footfall, permissive resort atmospheres, and strict foreign laws that can yield long penalties for violations.

In Europe and beyond, the overall picture remains a mix of entertainment, danger and enforcement. Officials caution travelers to be aware of local laws, customs and penalties, and to understand that what may be tolerated at home can carry severe consequences abroad. The cases compiled from the Daily Mail and related outlets illustrate the breadth of outcomes—from fines and detentions to jail time—that can accompany holiday missteps or outright criminal activity in foreign jurisdictions.