A set of videos have been released to help holidaymakers stop pickpockets pilfering their passports.

More than 20,000 British passports were reported lost or stolen last year, according to the Foreign Office who has launched the Know Before You Go awareness campaign to help people from becoming targets.

While aimed at British travellers, the tips are useful for Maltese, too. They note that valuable holiday time and money disappears if a passport is lost or stolen, as the victim may need to report the theft to the police and spend time at the local consulate or embassy being issued with an emergency travel document.

It is hoped that anyone from gap year students to package holidaymakers, sports fans to older travellers and people visiting friends and family abroad might be helped by the tips.

More than 400 organisations within the travel industry will be helping to spread the message.

Being aware of your surroundings and being wary of strangers who take an unusual amount of interest in you are among some of the Foreign Office’s tips to help people keep their passports safe.

The advice suggests locking your passport in a safe but says if you need to keep it with you, try to ensure it cannot be seen.

They also suggest you make two photocopies of your passport and leave one with friends or family and take the second with you, or store an electronic copy securely.

They note there are some times, such as during a night out, when it might be possible to use your photocopy as alternative ID.

Holidaymakers should also be aware that some countries will only allow you to use a passport that is valid for six months after the date you travel so you should check entry requirements before you go.

Everyone is advised to fill in the passport’s emergency and next of kin page before they go. You can watch the video at http://bit.ly/1eHN5ij or on the office’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fcotravel.