British holidaymakers, an easy theft target in Spain.

The Foreign Office is warning millions of British tourists heading to Spain that British registered cars are being targeted by unscrupulous thieves. According to the Foreign Office, the criminal gangs are routinely targeting GB number plates on the road from the northern ferry port of Santander to Madrid and further south to Spain’s popular beaches.

The modus operandi of the organised gangs includes fake accidents, supposed pleas for help with vehicle problems and loud noises to trick their victims before stealing their belongings.

British-registered cars are easy targets for criminal gangs, as in the past two years, 126 British victims reported theft related crimes to the Spanish police on the busy AP7 motorway, which connects the French border to Valencia.

Pensioner Roy Moore and his wife Helen were left stranded on the road side after having their rear tyre slashed as they stopped at a service station near Logrono en route to Murcia.The retired care home worker said: “It all happened so fast. We were left in shock, penniless at the roadside and stranded in Spain along with our dog Merlyn.”

Another highway victim from North Wales was stopped at a toll booth and robbed at knife point. “Anyone travelling with UK plates should think at least twice before stopping on a Spanish motorway, particularly at night, and don’t keep your valuables in the same place. If you do have to stop, don’t all get out of the car.”

It was likely there were more attacks across Spain that were unreported as victims only contact the Consulate when their passport is lost. Will Middleton, the consular Regional Director for Spain, said: “Distraction is the most common technique by the highway robbers.”