Tourism fears over Algarve attacks

Jun 5 2011 by Alastair Craig, Sunday Sun

IT has become the holiday resort famous for sun, sea . . . and sickening attacks.

The city of Albufiera in The Algarve, Portugal, is under the European spotlight following the killing of a North tourist this month.

The troubled destination now has such a deadly reputation, the English language paper Portugal News last week ran a front page with the headline “Tourism Tarnished” and it is feared a string of savage attacks and deaths are linked to a single gang of four feral youths stalking the city.

Last week the Sunday Sun revealed that Gateshead tourist Ian Haggath had been killed in the city billed “the Gateway to the Algarve”.

The 50-year-old from Dunston had been staying with a friend at the three-star Janelas do Mar Hotel, in Albufeira.

He was left unconscious after a deadly beating as he strolled back to his hotel from the dangerous Montechoro strip of bars on May 15, dying in hospital from severe head injuries 10 days later.

His death sparked a rare upgraded security notice from the Foreign and Common wealth Office (FCO) warning British tourists to be vigilant.

Last night, Gateshead MP Ian Mearns vowed to lobby the FCO to do all it could to force the Portuguese government into thoroughly investigating the death of Mr Haggath, one of his constituents.

Mr Mearns said: “I think the fact that the FCO has issued more guidance to people travelling to The Algarve says something of how serious this situation is.

“I will be asking the FCO what more they can do to make sure the perpetrators of this terrible crime are brought to justice.

“The last thing we want is for North East holidaymakers to be going into a situation of danger. I would urge them to be extra careful, to keep out of harm’s way and to come home safe.”

Mr Mearns sent his condolences to Mr Haggath’s family, adding: “He was a constituent of mine and a very mild-mannered and pleasant chap.

“He was not the kind of person to look for any trouble. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”

On Friday, it emerged that yet another British citizen who had been staying in Albufeira has been the victim of a savage assault, two days before Mr Haggath.