TOURISTS heading for the Edinburgh festivals are being warned to make sure their hotel bookings are genuine.
Police Scotland issued the call over bogus bookings as well as pickpockets and thieves ahead of start of the Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival next week.
The population of the city is expected to more than double over the next six weeks with the influx and police said they will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city centre to offer advice aimed at preventing the public being targeted by criminals.
Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh, said: “The Edinburgh Festival is a fantastic spectacle and results in worldwide attention for the city.
"We will be doing everything we can to prevent crime happening in the first place and I would appeal to the public to help us in that effort.
“By taking a number of simple steps, visitors and locals can ensure their experience of the Festival is memorable for all the right reasons.
"If you are enjoying the nightlife then please make sure you drink responsibly and have a plan to get home.
“This year, for the first time, we have helpful advice for tourists and visitors on-line that they can access before they arrive in the city, so that they can equip themselves with all the information they need to safeguard themselves against opportunistic criminals."
The information is available on the Police Scotland website or by following Edinburgh Division’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
It says people should beware of bogus accommodation adverts, research the property or hotel that they are booking and ask the owner about the property and the area in detail.
It also said people should record details of their mobile phone, laptop, tablet, camera and other property, or install a tracker device on their mobile devices which could help locate them if stolen.
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