Bali is hit by wave of crimes against tourists

Tourists check out the waves at Kuta beach - PA

Police in Bali have warned of a rise in crimes targeting foreigners on the island.

The warning follows the stabbing of a 59-tear-old British male tourist who was stabbed during a break-in at his rented villa in South Kuta.

It was the fourth time a foreigner has been the victim in burglaries in the area in the past two months.

The Jakarta Globe said the man was stabbed in the thigh when he attempted to fight off the burglars who had broken into the villa. The perpetrators fled with a number of his belongings.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

In earlier burglaries, thieves stole about $53,000 in cash and belongings from a rented Ubud villa, $600 in cash, a camera and mobile phone from an American women in Gianya and cash and documents from an Australian woman.

The Denpasar police chief has called on residents and tourists to be on heightened alert for any suspicious people or activities.