A wave of crime has swept across Santa Domingo (Image: getty)
The idyllic long haul getaway has become the centre of a crime wave with tourists being violently attacked and mugged leading to the US State department issuing a travel advisory to exercise 'increased caution' due to high crime rates. The Foreign Office is also advising UK tourists to be on alert after a spate of violent car robberies near to the main international airport Las Americas in the capital Santa Domingo. The Caribbean island - off the coast of central America - is being touted as a 'safe' family destination by tour operators as tourists shun traditional European destinations such as France for fear of terrorism.
But now instead of facing a terror attack UK tourists could face violent muggers or sexual predators and official advice to Brits is to ‘take particular care' as the Dominican Republic has a 'high crime rate'.
Thousands of Brits will be jetting off to the island on half term holidays over the next few weeks unaware of the dangers laying in wait.
Nick Harris Head of Travel at Simpson Millar solicitors - an expert on long haul destinations - said people need to be aware that despite Dominican Republic being touted as a luxury getaway it is still a developing country.
He said: "There are lots of dangers and violence seems to be common place so people need to be more wary. Tourists are being targeted in a campaign of violent muggings outside hotels and car robberies and even sexual assaults in resorts.
Violent car robberies near Las Americas airport could see tourists at risk (Image: Google)
"This is very worrying especially as the destination is being heavily promoted by UK tour operators as family friendly. Criminals often prey on people letting their hair down while abroad and unfortunately that is exactly what is happening over there.
"Behind the glitz and glam of the brochure can often lie a different world.
"We have also seen quite a lot of cases of food poisoning and illness such as Salmonella; which can leave people with life-long complications.
"We are already representing many victims who have fallen ill and people need to be extra vigilant especially in the resort areas of Puna Cuna.
