Over 250K passports lost or stolen each year in the UK alone!

As the holiday season kicks off, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is warning British holidaymakers to keep a close watch on their passports.

In 2005 over 286,000 British passports were reported lost or stolen, of which over 90,000 were reported missing during the summer months (June - August). While many people safeguard their wallet and personal valuables abroad, their passport is not always such a priority.

Recent research conducted for IPS shows that almost a quarter of people questioned carry their passport around with them while on holiday, and nearly ten per cent leave it locked or hidden in their suitcase rather than keeping it in a secure place such as a hotel safe.

Home Office Minister Joan Ryan said:

"We are urging people to take good care of their passports, both at home and abroad. It is an important document and should be carefully looked after at all times to avoid it falling into the wrong hands."

"When people tell us they have lost their passport we take immediate action. The passport is cancelled on our system and the details are added to our database of lost and stolen passports. That information is shared through Interpol with law enforcement and border control authorities in 184 countries to reduce the risk of people's identities being hijacked."

IPS has issued these tips on how to keep your passport safe:

• Take two photocopies of your passport before your holiday. Leave one with a relative or friend and take the other with you, keeping the copy separate from the original.
• Keep your passport with you when travelling to your destination. Keep it in your hand luggage or in a zipped pocket. Know where it is at all times so that it can be produced promptly when asked for.
• Think carefully about where you keep your passport once you arrive. Think about what might be the safest option according to your surroundings.
• Be wary if ever you are asked to surrender your passport. While some foreign officials may ask for your passport, as may some hotels, check with your travel operator or the British consulate whether or not this is standard  procedure.
• Should your passport be stolen or lost while abroad report it to the local police and get in touch with the nearest British consulate or embassy for further advice. The British Consul can issue an emergency passport if necessary.

What to do if you lose your passport

You must report a lost or stolen passport to IPS as soon as you can so that it can be cancelled. If this is not done, someone else may try to travel on your passport or use your identity illegally in some other way.

If your passport was lost or stolen abroad you should contact the local police. You should also report the missing passport to the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office can give you their contact details. You will also have to fill in a lost and stolen declaration form (LSO1).

If your passport was lost or stolen in the UK, you must report this to IPS. All cases of theft must also be reported to your local police station. You must insert the crime reference details in the relevant section of the declaration of loss/theft form (LS01), which you will need to complete and return to IPS.

In either case IPS recommends that you apply for a replacement passport as soon as possible, from IPS in the UK or from a British embassy, consulate or high commission overseas.

Information on the FCO Know Before You Go campaign can be found at www.fco.gov.uk .