A Dundee couple have told of their shock after they were held at gunpoint on a family holiday to Barbados.
Laura Holland and her partner Joe Chapman were just days into their stay on the paradise island when they were robbed on Bay Street in Christchurch.
“On the Monday night we had gone down to a beach party Harbour Lights,” retail manager Laura, 28, said.
“We had gone to get a bus around 10pm. We waited at a bus stop and there were a couple of young guys there.
“They walked away, came back with handkerchiefs over their faces and a gun and asked for our wallets. It was bizarre.”
Laura was not carrying a handbag but Joe, who is also 28, told the thieves he would not give them his whole wallet.
He then threw the couple’s remaining cash on the ground, holding back $5 so they could get back to their hotel.
When the men left Laura said the reality of what had just happened hit home.
“It was at 10pm on a main road,” she said.
“As soon as they left I just cracked.”
Laura and Joe made their way back to a bar shack that was just closing and they phoned the police.
He said: “We spent two hours with the police. They didn’t have ID or a marked car.
“We gave statements and they said they hadn’t heard that much about it.”
However, Laura said when they were talking to the tourism liaison officer who is part of the police force they were told tourist thefts on the island seem to be creeping up.
“The officer said it was only four weeks ago police officers had had training on tourism theft,” she said.
“I want to raise awareness and make others aware of the dangers.”
The couple finally made it back to their hotel around 2am but had a sleepless night before they joined the rest of their party for breakfast and told them what had happened.
She said: “I think it wouldn’t have been as bad if it was just ‘Give us your wallet,’ but because there was a gun involved you start thinking what could have happened.
“We didn’t know if it was even loaded. They didn’t want our mobile phones or my Pandora bracelet, just the cash.”
And Laura said she was thankful it was not more.
“We had 50 US dollars and about 60 Barbadian dollars,” she said.
“I was just asking that morning if we should take out more.”
The couple had been to Barbados before as part of a cruise but now are unsure if they will ever return.
Laura said: “It could happen to anyone at any time. It’s such a lovely island but it will make me think twice about going back.”