Aussie tourists warned about travelling to UK as unrest gets 'really ugly'

Aussie travellers have been warned to keep their wits about them if they plan to travel to the UK anytime soon, after the Australian government flagged there is a "threat of terrorism" in parts of England and Northern Ireland as rioters continue to spread unrest.

Towns and cities across England and Belfast have been shaken by a week of riots following the murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed event in a seaside town in England's northwest. The suspected killer was wrongly identified as an Islamist migrant on social media, and subsequently rioters have targeted mosques and the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers.

The unusual warning for the UK – a hugely popular destination for Australians – means travellers will need to "pay attention" if they are currently in Britain or are planning on travelling there, according to on expert in terrorism and violent extremism.

"It's really ugly and it also can be dangerous," Professor Greg Barton from Deakin University told Yahoo News. "If you're travelling to the UK, it just makes sense to pay attention to the news before you head down to some area... if there are problems, how would you get out safely?"

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer overnight said sufficient police will be on the streets to handle anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant riots in the coming days as he seeks to reassure communities braced for more violent protests. Messages online said immigration centres and law firms aiding migrants would be targeted on Wednesday, prompting anti-fascist groups to say they would counter any demonstration.

The government has increased prison capacity to cope with the large number of arrests made during the riots, which have prompted a growing number of countries to warn their citizens about the dangers of travelling in Britain.

Aussies hit with terror and travel warnings in Europe, Middle East

The Australian government has officially issued warnings for a number of countries in recent weeks, including Olympics host country France, and many in the Middle East such as Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. Travellers heading to Bali have also been warned of an ongoing terrorism threat as well as a dengue outbreak.

The numerous international warnings begs the question — should Aussies be reconsidering travel at the moment? Barton doesn't think so.

"No, I think in general one thing to take away from the ASIO announcement is not that we change our holiday or business travel plans. Generally, that's not required," he said, although he urged Aussies to follow travel instructions if authorities say a country or place is unsafe for travel.

"When you go to the airport or train station, don't switch off and drift into your own space. Keep alert," he advised.

The government's warning about the UK was issued to Aussie travellers on the same day as the country's intelligence agency ASIO raised the terror threat level in Australia from possible to probable, meaning it is likely a terror attack or the planning of one could occur in the next 12 months.

Aussies now warned to avoid Bangladesh as unrest spreads

Australian travellers have been told not to visit Bangladesh as political unrest spreads, with officials raising travel advice to its highest warning level.

Travel advice was upgraded to 'do not travel' on Wednesday, placing the South Asian nation on par with countries such as Iran and Afghanistan.

"There (are) ongoing protests and demonstrations across Bangladesh, with violent clashes throughout Dhaka and other cities," the travel advisory read.

"Many deaths and injuries have been reported. Curfews have been imposed at short notice."

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the situation in Bangladesh had become "extremely volatile" following violent protests, which had led to its prime minister fleeing the country and resigning.

Australians there have been urged to avoid large gatherings and monitor local media for updates.

Dependents of Australian officials in Bangladesh have been offered voluntary departures to Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in its travel advisory.

Census figures from 2021 show more than 51,000 people in Australia were born in Bangladesh.

with Reuters, AAP

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