Jamaica

Violent crime

Violent, gang and drug-related crime is a common including against tourists and expats. This includes:

Hotspots for violent crime include:

• Kingston — Tivoli Gardens, Whitfield Town, Payne Land, West Kingston, Grant’s Pen, August Town, Denham Town, Hannah Town, Arnett Gardens, Olympic Gardens, Harbour View, Central Village, Spanish Town, Mountain View, Trench Town, Cassava Piece, Canterbury, Norwood and Rose Heights

• Montego Bay — St Clavers Avenue and Hart Street, Flankers, Canterbury, Norwood, Rose Heights and Mount Salem

• Mountain View Avenue between Kingston and Norman Manley International Airport

Criminals have targeted travellers after accepting spiked food or drink, including in tourist resorts.

Travellers have reported assaults carried out by resort staff and other travellers.

Most hotels and resorts are well-guarded, but always lock your doors and windows.

You can be robbed and assaulted after accepting rides from strangers or using unofficial taxis.

To protect yourself from crime:

• always be alert to your surroundings
• stay somewhere safe with good security
• only use ATMs in hotels, shopping centres or other controlled areas during the day
• be mindful of who’s around you when using ATMs
• arrange transport to/from the airport in advance
• avoid travelling alone, especially at night
• avoid beaches at night
• don’t leave your food or drink unattended
• never accept food, drink, gum or cigarettes from strangers or people you’ve just met

If you’re attacked or robbed, don’t resist. Criminals are often armed and you can be seriously injured or killed.

Gang violence along Mountain View Avenue has led to motorists being shot in the crossfire.

You’re more likely to be robbed when travelling to and from Norman Manley International Airport at night.

You can be robbed and assaulted after accepting rides from strangers or using unofficial taxis.

To protect yourself while on the road:

• use established tour operators or taxis authorised by the Jamaican United Travellers’ Association.

• don’t share taxis or use public transport

• don’t accept rides from strangers

• be wary of approaches from ‘friendly’ strangers

• avoid using Mountain View Avenue when travelling to and from Norman Manley International Airport

See Travel.

Petty crime

Petty crime, including bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft is common. Old Kingston and overcrowded public transport are hotspots for pickpockets and bag-snatchers.

Thefts from hotel room safes by hotel staff occur in large resorts.

To protect yourself from petty crime:

• always lock hotel doors and windows

• use the hotel safe to lock away your valuables

• check your accommodation has a high level of security, especially in villa-style hotels

• don’t put valuables in your checked luggage, carry them

• keep doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight, even when moving

Scams and fraud

You may experience credit card or ATM fraud.

To protect yourself from fraud:

• only use ATMs in daylight hours in hotels, shopping centres or other controlled areas

• always keep an eye on your credit card when shopping, including at supermarkets

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government