Being able to travel the world is a great privilege and an opportunity that remains inaccessible to a significant proportion of the world’s population. Many people’s attempts to travel are curtailed by financial, social, political, and sometimes even physical barriers: having the ability to move across the globe with little resistance ought never to be taken for granted. 

As world travellers, we are driven by an overwhelming urge to explore. We long to see everything that our beautiful planet has to offer, learn about a variety of cultures and immerse ourselves in a diverse range of ways of life.

While this may seem a little unconventional, looking at our travel experiences from a criminological perspective can reveal another side to our adventures and encourage us to reflect upon our actions and the impact they may have.

This series of articles has come about through the amalgamation of two of my great passions, travelling, exploring and learning about our incredible world, and the study of crime and criminal behaviour.

Growing up in a family with (what I’d call) a healthy obsession with crime fiction, I developed a fascination with the psychological and sociological processes that contribute to criminality, and the lasting effects crime has upon its victims. This childhood interest developed over the years and guided me to the University of Stirling, where I first completed a degree in Criminology and Sociology, and am now pursuing a Master’s in Psychology. Alongside my studies, I’ve spent the past three years supporting policing efforts to protect Britain’s railways. You could say I’m pretty deeply invested!

The empathy and awareness I’ve developed through my work and studies have inspired me to speak more openly about crime and the social harms that can affect any of us, even when we’re on holiday. Whilst I hope that the articles in this series may provide some valuable advice, helping you to stay informed and safe from crime, I also hope that they may promote some introspection. As tourists, we often come from positions of relative privilege, and as such, we have a responsibility to be mindful of our actions and to do our utmost to minimise our impact as we move through the world.

Throughout these articles, we will explore how crime can occur when we’re on holiday and even consider how tourism itself may contribute to crime or social harm. Focusing on the part of the world that I am most familiar with, Europe, I hope to share some of the highlights (and lowlights) of travel with you, coming at it all from a criminological perspective.

Please click through the following photos to read my articles:

Cerys Tandy is snsvs’ European Criminological Perspectives Editor. She is currently studying for an MSc in Psychology at the University of Stirling, having previously completed a degree in Criminology and Sociology. Whilst Cerys currently feels a little lost when it comes to her future, she is deeply fascinated by the study of crime, with a particular focus on ensuring that victims receive the very best care and support. When Cerys has time away from her studies, she loves escaping the city for hikes, loch swims, and wildlife watching with her partner in the Scottish countryside.