British citizens have been told by the Foreign and Commonwealth office to be on the lookout when travelling to Malta because of an increase in the number of pickpocketing incidents on buses.

The warning, issued a few days ago, states that incidents of pickpocketing increased drastically since May, adding that the thieves are targeting “crowded afternoon buses”, particularly in Sliema, St Julian’s and Paceville.

The British travel advice said the Malta police were aware of the problem.

“Since May 2013, there have been a high number of pickpocketing incidents on main bus routes, especially the 13 and 12 from Sliema to Valletta and routes between St Julian’s and Paceville,” the Foreign and Commonwealth office said.

“Thieves are targeting crowded afternoon buses. Be vigilant and keep sight of valuables at all times,” it warned.

The rise of pickpocketing thefts, apparently by foreign organised gangs, is also doing the rounds on travel-related websites including the popular Trip Advisor.

Recounting a personal experience, a couple from Newark said their wallet was stolen while on a “crowded bus” to Sliema.

“There was a spate of it going on and we spoke to many people who had the same experience,” the couple wrote.

“One man had his camera unclipped from the strap on a crowded bus and another had €250 stolen from a bag around his waist.”

According to the couple, the bus ticketing vendor at Sliema ferries warned them that they already had six cases of pickpocketing on the same Sliema route that week and when reported to the police they were told that “there were Eastern Europeans working in gangs and the police are finding it hard to catch them”.

The issue was also raised in Parliament last Tuesday by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi in a question to Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia.

Dr Mallia said he was aware of the British Foreign Office warning but he was not worried.

When contacted, Dr Azzopardi said that the fact that the British Foreign Office felt the need to issue such a warning was very worrying and he hoped this was not the result of recent changes made to the level of police personnel in the area.

He said that many transfers were made in the police force since April depleting the number of police officers in crucial areas.

On his part, Dr Mallia said the transfers mentioned by Dr Azzopardi has nothing to do with the warning issued by the British Foreign Office on increased thefts.