Approximately 6,000 British nationals are arrested abroad every year.

Some may escape with a fine or a night in a police station, but many end up with a prison sentence that has to be served in the country they were detained in.

Prisoners Abroad works with over 1,500 prisoners in 98 countries across the world. Many are held in appalling conditions, sleeping in dirty overcrowded cells with barely enough to eat or drink.

Some are arrested for actions they didn’t even know would be considered crimes, simply because they aren’t aware of the laws and customs of the country they are in. These arrests can be easily avoided if you make sure you are #TravelAware.

Your organisation is one that I never thought I would be using, but it has turned out to be invaluable.

Travel Aware is a campaign that we have run in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to make people aware of information that might prove useful whilst travelling abroad.

Brits often travel around the world; in search of hotter weather, to enjoy winter activities such as skiing or to simply explore different countries and cultures. To ensure you have a great time and don’t get into trouble while you’re away, it is worth taking some time to look up your destination. As international travel slowly begins to resume in 2021, it is especially important to be aware of local laws and customs on top of new entry requirements.

Our message is the same as always – do your research before you travel and if you find yourself in a situation that makes you feel uneasy or anxious, walk away immediately.

Country of the Month - follow our monthly campaign to get to grips with local laws and customs globally.

Your A-Z guide of being #TravelAware - read about common misconceptions of foreign laws.

Travel Aware quiz - take our quiz and find out how much you know about laws and customs around the world.

Planning a holiday? Visit the FCDO website for travel advice to check if travel is permitted.