Safety Concerns Heighten In Bali’s Top Tourism Resorts

Over the last couple of weeks, increased reports have been coming in about crimes against tourists, and here at Regional Travel Monitors, we keep our finger on the pulse of what’s happening about town. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Has Opened

The first report to cover is the shooting that took place on Friday, 17th July, in Canggu. Now, Canggu is Bali’s busiest tourism resort by far, and the shooting rocked both local communities and tourists. While low-level but nevertheless distressing crime in Bali is pretty common, violent crime is rare. 

Over the weekend, Bali Police have issued updates about the incident in Canggu to help ease fear in the community. The incident took place at a nightclub on Jalan Pantai Berawa, in the heart of the tourist resort of Canggu.

Two people were seriously injured and were rushed to the intensive care unit at Lira Medika Hospital.  Badung Police have confirmed that they are still investigating the motive for the shooting. 

Police have confirmed the alleged shooter managed to escape, exploiting the panic of witnesses in the aftermath of the attack. Based on preliminary investigations, police suspect the shooter is an Indonesian citizen.

The Acting Head of the Public Relations Sub-Division of the Badung Police, Aiptu Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, told reporters that officers from the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the North Kuta Police immediately arrived at the venue to process the crime scene, set up police tape, interview witnesses, secure evidence, and analyze CCTV footage.

Inastuti told reporters, “There were two victims who suffered gunshot wounds. Victim IMYM suffered a penetrating gunshot wound to the left thigh, while victim EA suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh with the projectile still lodged.” 

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He added, “Based on preliminary investigation results, the suspect is believed to have left Bali and flown to Jakarta shortly after the incident. The team is currently pursuing him.” This is believed to have been an isolated incident, and there is no further danger to the public in Bali in connection with the incident.

In addition to the shooting in Canggu, in the neighboring neighborhood of Seminyak, and down in Uluwatu, tourists were targeted by opportunistic criminals this weekend.

Police have confirmed that a Dutch national with the initials IEM, 21, had their iPhone 16 in the Uluwatu area, and an Indian national with the initials PP, 28, was the victim of a mugging in Seminyak. 

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, 19th July, the Head of Public Relations of the Denpasar Police, Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, shared that the incident in Seminyak was an all-too-common snatching attack.

He confirmed, “When the victim PP was waiting for a taxi on the side of the road, a perpetrator came riding a black motorbike and immediately snatched the gold necklace the victim was wearing around his neck.”

Location, Setting & Neighborhood Access

Here at Regional Travel Monitors, we are also noting a rising trend in the number of phone snatchings, not attacks on pedestrians, but on moped drivers. More and more tourists are driving mopeds using phone holders on the handlebars, which leaves their devices open and easy to snatch, as was the case in Uluwatu this weekend. 

Jaya told reporters a Dutch citizen with the initials IEM was the victim of a theft in the Ocean View area, Jalan Raya Uluwatu.

The tourist had stopped at a minimart and parked his motorcycle with a black iPhone 16 still attached to the motorcycle holder. Fortunately, when he left the shop, the phone was still attached; however, it had been spotted by an opportunistic criminal who swiped the phone as he drove off. 

Jaya confirmed, “The Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit is currently handling both cases. Investigators are still investigating to identify the alleged perpetrators.

Tourists travelling in Bali are reminded to move mindfully and to keep their awareness open at all times. It is important to report any and all incidents of crime to Bali Police on 110 as quickly as possible.

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