British backpackers have been warned of the dangers of not familiarising themselves with the law in countries they are visiting.
Many travellers take a care-free approach to being in a foreign country and there is often a sense, particularly among the younger groups, that they are subject to the same laws as they face in the UK.
However, the chief executive of Prisoners Abroad, an organisation which protects the interests and basic welfare of Britons detained overseas, has explained that this is a dangerous trap to fall into.
Pauline Crow said: "Flights are cheap, travel is fast - people don't put as much thought into their journeys abroad as they used to.
"They get a cheap flight and they're off, instead of thinking really seriously about the kind of culture that they're going into and what may or may not be the norm in that country."
The organisation conducted research recently which showed that 47 per cent of British travellers arrested abroad are held for drug offences.
Furthermore, when touching down in a different country with an unfamiliar culture and way of life, it is crucial for backpackers to ensure that they have a valid travel insurance policy in place.
