Horror in the Caribbean as British couple attacked and robbed after leaving cruise ship

The couple were attacked when they left their cruise ship in St Lucia (Image: Getty )

A British couple have been attacked and robbed after they left their cruise ship to go sightseeing in the Caribbean. The man and woman, who are understood to be in their 30s, were confronted just minutes after disembarking their vessel at Castries, the capital of the tropical island paradise of St Lucia. 

The pair were taking in the local sights when they were attacked by a young man in his 20s at around 11am on Wednesday. The thief struck and grabbed a bag containing personal belongings before fleeing the scene. According to local news site, Caribbean Hot7 tv, the man who robbed the couple, said to be from the south east of England, wore beige shorts and had plaited hair. 

The mugger managed to escape with the couple's items which included jewellery, mobile phones and some cash before police arrived on the scene. The couple were said to be badly shaken by the ordeal before being spoken to by police.

(Stock image) A British couple were attacked asked leaving a cruise ship (Image: Getty )

A police source speaking from St Lucia's capital Castries where the robbery took place said: "Just after 11am police received reports of a robbery taking place in the city. Police were immediately summoned and spoke to the couple and immediately launched an investigation which is ongoing."

An eyewitness said the incident happened so quickly they were not able to see the face of the man who attacked the couple. A police spokesman added that the investigation is ongoing and they could not comment further at this stage.

The Daily Express has approached the Foreign Office (FCDO) for comment. 

The beautiful island of St Lucia is popular with cruise ship visitors who travel across the Caribbean, visiting several of the stunning islands in the region. But there is also trouble in paradise with several incidents of serious crime recorded in recent months. 

(Stock image) Cruise ships regularly dock in St Lucia (Image: Getty )

In October, a British man, aged 26, and originally from London, was shot and killed on St Lucia. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force said officers were called to reports of a body with multiple gunshot wounds on a road around 10.50pm on Tuesday, October 28. The Independent reported the man had been living on the nearby island of Anguilla, but had been holidaying on St Lucia. 

On November 12, a local mother-of-two was shot dead in the village of Bexon on St Lucia. The St Lucia Times reports Finola McLauren, 35, was found deceased in the driver's seat of a vehicle. 

According to the FCDO travel advice for St Lucia, there "have been incidents of crime in St Lucia, including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault". It adds: "There is a continuing serious risk of homicides, primarily gang-related and involving guns."