Every year the Foreign and CommonwealthOffice provides vital support to thousands of

British nationals overseas.

FCO consular staffplay a crucial role in helpingBritish nationals in many different ways –from making hospital visits and contactingfriends and family in the UK, through tosupporting grieving families coping with abereavement or providing emergency traveldocuments so people can get home if theyhave lost their passport or had it stolen.

FCO's network of British embassies, highcommissions and consulates handled over470,000 enquiries, and their staff supportedBritish nationals in 15 crisis situations acrossthe world.

Total Assistance Cases

FCO consular staff dealt with 17,058assistance cases globally from1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.

For information and adviceon how to help stay safe

overseas visit www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

Arrests and Drug Arrests

There was a decreasein arrest cases in

2014/15, includingdrug arrests, with

some notable shiftscompared to 2013/14

The number ofdrug arrests

globally has fallenby 4 % in 2014/15

to 691 cases (from717 in 2013/14). Since 2009/10 there

has been a 26%drop in detentions,a reduction of 1,669cases. This includesa 30% reduction in

drug-related arrests.

Hospitalisation

Spain remains thecountry with the highest

number of Britishnationals hospitalised

(629 cases) but thenumber fell by 7%

compared to 2013/14.

In total 3,250hospitalisation cases were

recorded in 2014/15, aslight increase (of 3%)compared to last year.

However, case numbersremain low compared to

recent years.

Research the health risks of thecountry you are visiting as soon as

possible before travelling, Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/travelhealth

for more information

Rape and Sexual Assault

252 British nationalswere victims of

reported rape and/or sexual assault, a

reduction of six casescompared to last year.

Greece has seen adecrease of 55% from33 cases in 2013/14 to

15 cases in 2014/15.FCO is working with local

authorities and partnerorganisations across theworld to minimise the

risk to British nationals,including communications

campaigns targetingyoung people.

Mental Health

There has been a globalincrease of 48% in the

number of cases involvingBritish nationals with

mental health needs since2009/10.

The countries withthe highest volumeof cases were Spain

(67), France (50),USA (33), Thailand

(27).

This trend is in line witha general increase indemand for mental

health services in theUK in recent years. But

FCO have also introducedspecific training for

the staff so they havegreater awareness of the

issues involved.

Lost and Stolen Documentsand ETDs

20,663 passports werereported lost or stolen

in 2014/15.

37,890 ETDs wereprovided to British

travellers in 2014/15,compared to 31,134 in

2013/14.

Spain (6,329), USA (3,641)and Australia (3,182)

were the highest volumecountries of ETDs.

Deaths

The country with the highestnumber of deaths of British nationals recorded was

Spain (721 cases), followed by Thailand (348) andSwitzerland (191).

No matter how old or how fit you are, takeout comprehensive travel insurance. If an

uninsured person dies whilst abroadany treatment they have received and

their repatriation to the UK is unlikely tobe covered. Repatriation can cost

thousands of pounds.

• If you are living in the UK and arelative or friend dies when abroad, you

should contact the FCO on 020 70081500. If you are abroad, you should

contact the relevant Britishembassy, high commission or consulate.

Read Also

FCO Advice -Going to Live

Abroad

FCO Advice -Staying Safe

Abroad

FCO - What to Do ifAffected by Crisis

Overseas

Do Not Panic: What toDo if You Become a

Crime Victim Abroad