With its hedonistic spirit and stunning beaches, it has long been an alluring destination for British holidaymakers. But women considering Greece for their summer break will be alarmed to discover that, as far as tourists are concerned, it is becoming the rape capital of Europe.
Statistics disclosed by the Foreign Office this week reveal that a third of British women raped overseas are attacked in Greece. More than 60 have been raped there over the last two years - a 75 per cent rise over the previous 24 months.
Most of the attacks are believed to have been in one of the three island resorts of Kavos in Corfu, Faliraki in Rhodes and Malia in Crete.
Faliraki was made infamous by ITV's fly-on-the wall documentary Club Reps, which revealed the antics of drunken, sex-mad British holidaymakers. After the series was broadcast, bookings rose by 30 per cent.
Last summer there were at least three reported rapes in Faliraki and two sex attacks at knifepoint. In 2001, 11 women were raped, including six from Britain.
Last summer the Corfu police investigated the rape of five British women over a seven-week spell. Most of the attacks took place around the town of Kavos, a Mecca for clubbers. Police chief George Kavithias blames the problem on the behaviour of young British tourists.
Noel Josephides, who runs specialist Greek tour operator Sunvil Holidays, blames club owners who lure young Brits to the islands promising them an 'anything goes' atmosphere. 'There is big money to be made from attracting young people with the promise of drink, drugs and sex. These ghettoes are tailor-made for excess,' he said.
The Foreign Office claims one reason for the big rise in reported rapes in Greece is that British consular staff are trying to ensure that sex attacks are reported. Foreign Office statistics also reveal that Britons visiting Greece have been victims of increasing levels of other 'serious crime involving violence'.
In 1998 six such cases were reported, but there were 23 last year. There have been at least four murders in the same period, with some in Greece blaming the crimes on Albanian gangs and other eastern European criminals.
The issue came to light after questions were asked in Parliament by former Home Office Minister Angela Eagle. The Labour MP for Wallasey had been approached by a constituent, Irene Knight, whose 37-year-old son Peter was murdered last summer in Corfu.
