It is feared the estimated 600,000 foreign football fans set to pour into the football-mad nation will be heavily targeted by the country’s notorious robbery squads. Last year, the number of robberies that resulted in murder – so-called 'latrocinios' – rose to a nine-year high of 385 in Sao Paulo state alone.

Brazil has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with 25.2 people out of every 100,000 killed by criminals, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

The SAS+ Security Handbook shows how everyday people can use the expertise of the UK’s elite security force to stay safe on the street, at home and while travelling abroad.

The handbook’s author is Andrew Kain, an SAS soldier for 11 years, who now runs international security firm AKE Group. At last he shares his much sought-after security experience, knowledge and techniques – preparing the reader for anything, anywhere in the world.

'While the advice is to give you control and avoid serious incident,' says Kain, who last month chaired the 5th international conference on kidnapping and hijack, 'the SAS+ Security Handbook also covers the 3 basic principles of how to effectively deal with threats.'