I have been night fishing a few times on the north wales beaches for sea bass the local fisherman have told me a few times to take care north wales might look nice but there is a big drugs problem in these towns which are close to these remote beaches.

I read the link earlier on another birding forum. It is pertinent as my own local patch - regularly reported on in these pages - sadly has a reputation for the occasional unsavoury incident. It's a fine line between paranoia, common sense & getting on with a hobby that we all enjoy.

I know a lot of you will be going to N Wales over the winter- myself included- please be aware of your surroundings and who is watching you with all the expensive photography and optical gear we carry with us.
See the below link taken from N Wales bird forum. But it could just as easily happen anywhere in Greater Manchester.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2012/10/29/photographer-attacked-and-camera-stolen-on-talacre-beach-55578-32125391/