Thieves may want your passport to turn it into a fake - allowing someone else to travel illegally as a British citizen. Also, it may be used to commit 'identity theft' - when someone pretends to be you to commit credit card fraud or to cash-in travellers cheques, for example. Identity theft is a growing problem across the world.

Check your passport is valid for the duration of your holiday. The Government suggests your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your return date. If you need a new passport apply well in advance of your holiday. Although the standard service takes about two weeks after application, it may take longer during busy periods or if there is a postal dispute.

Take two photocopies of your passport before your holiday. Leave one with a relative or friend and take the other with you, keeping the copy separate from the original. It may be useful to have some other identification that includes a photograph with you - again keep this separate from your passport.

Keep your passport with you when travelling to your destination. Keep it in your hand luggage or in a zipped pocket. Know where it is at all times so that it can be produced promptly when asked for.

Think carefully about where you keep your passport once you arrive. There are risks associated with carrying your passport around with you, just as there are with leaving it 'hidden' in your accommodation. Hotel room safes are useful, especially those that allow you to programme in an entry code. Alternatively you could ask the hotel to keep your passport in its safe. Think about what might be the safest option according to your surroundings.

Be wary if ever you are asked to surrender your passport. While some foreign officials may ask for your passport, as may some hotels, you should check with your travel operator or the British Consulate whether or not this is standard procedure. Be particularly careful handing over your passport for services such as cycle hire, if in doubt, ask politely if they would accept any other form of ID.

Should your passport be stolen or lost while abroad report it to the local police and get in touch with the nearest British Consulate or Embassy who will be able to advise you further. The British Consul can issue an emergency passport if necessary.

One last point - although the UK is part of the European Union you still need a valid ten-year passport to travel in other EU countries. Many countries that are part of the EU no longer carry out routine passport checks at their land borders. However, they still expect visitors to be able to produce a valid form of identification, which in the case of British travellers is the UK passport. Your passport will always be checked at immigration control on your return to Britain.