Burglary, Porches

[jonc]

On approx. the 20th September our house in the Porches area was broken into. This post is not going to be a rant and I am not looking for sympathy. Rather that some things we have learned I hope might help other people to avoid what we have gone through.

Our house is not a rental, it is our holiday home which we occupy for about 10 weeks a year. Because of this, it was kitted out with everything we need - like our home in the UK. It site in the countryside with scrub land on one side and orange groves on the other. Our nearest neighbours are visible, but maybe a quarter of a kilometer away.

Our house is visited two or three times a week when we are not there (and we weren't in September). We have gardeners, a manager and a pool man. We were advised that because there was activity at the house very often, security would not be a problem. However, we believe that the house was watched on a number of occasions (from the orange grove) and that the routine of the pool man and gardeners was worked out. This meant that when the house was broken into, the burglars clearly knew they had plenty of time.

Previously, I would have said our house was secure. It has all patio doors fitted with metal roller, concertina or louvre shutters. All remaining windows are fitted with metal grilles apart from the kitchen window which is fitted internally with a metal roller shutter. The front and back doors are solid wood doors with multi-point metal grilles in front. The burglars tried three or four points of entry on all three levels of the house, climbing to access upstairs terraces. They tried to lift the metal shutters (failed but damaged) attempted to lever the concertina at one side (failed but damaged) and then broke the kitchen window and and forced up the metal shutter. Once in, they could open a patio door and electric shutter for easy entry/exit.

Once in, the house was stripped of pretty much anything with a plug on it. They found a safe in a fitted wardrobe and then emptied every drawer, removed every picture, every pot etc. looking for the key. When they couldn't find a key, they destroyed the wardrobe around the safe. When they still couldn't get the safe out, they started smashing the place up. I said previously they knew they had plenty of time - they defrosted food from the freezer in the microwave, opened a bottle of wine and poured whiskey from the bar.

They left us some personal messages in graffiti on the kitchen walls, worktops, doors and shutter. I now know a number of Portuguese swear words and phrases.

The amount of TVs, hi-fi, computer equipment, power tools, hand tools, and all my clothes must have taken two cars, or two trips to transport away. Additionally, a lot was either high-end or unusual because it came from the UK (UK models or UK plugs, power supplies etc.) I hope that this makes it easier to spot, and that makes it more likely that the criminals are caught. The list is below.

So.. what advice can I give?
1. Don't think your house is secure. There has been a previous thread which mentioned that a small security shutter could be lifted. Don't assume any shutter will protect you 100%. Our burglars were persistent and eventually found a way in - if it hadn't been the kitchen window, it would have been somewhere else.
2. Don't think your gardeners/manager/pool man will protect your house. It is inevitable they will follow a set routine and this can be learned so that they can be avoided.
3. A house out in the countryside just means that when you are burgled, noone is around to see it happen, likewise high fences and hedges. This won't stop it happening.
4. Get a monitored alarm - they are not that expensive. Choose one with dual-path communication (GSM for when your phone line is cut) and choose a company known for monitored systems and a fast response. Put plenty of signs up.
5. If you have a safe, leave it open when it is empty. That is unless you want it to be a deliberate distraction when you have monitored security. If we had left the safe open, we would still have a wardrobe.
6. Be wary of unusual activity - people around who you would not expect to be there, or unusual behaviour.
7. In the current economic climate, crime is on the increase. Take appropriate steps.

I hope this doesn't happen to you,
Jonathan

List of stolen goods:

Computer equipment

Apple 24 inch Cinema Screen, Apple keyboard and mouse
Epson SX215 Printer/scanner/copier
2x Netgear WAG102 Wifi base station
Apple Mac Mini + PSU
Buffalo Linkstation Live NAS Hard disk drive
2x IP CCTV cameras (cylindrical silver case)

TV / Hi Fi Equipment

Sony Bravia KDL46W5810 46 inch Freesat TV, Black
Sony Bravia 40 inch Freesat TV, Black
Tevion DVD Player
3x Sonos CR100 Controller + charging cradle / PSU
Sonos BR100 Zonebridge
Sonos ZP90 Zone Player
Sonos S5 Zone Player / Speaker, White
Bose Lifestyle powered subwoofer unit, Black

Tools

Karcher KB9050 Pressure Washer
Ryobi RCS3535A 35cm 1hp Petrol Chain Saw
Makita 2x 14.4V cordless drills set in case with 2x battery and charger
Erbauer ERB905D Power Plane in case
Titan SF26S5 6Kg SDS+ breaker/hammer drill in case
Dymo label printer, UK power supply, additional cassettes
Selection of hand tools - screwdrivers / pliers / plumbing tools etc. Various makes including Workman.

Clothes

Good selection of mens' clothes (summer and winter long and short trousers, long and short sleeved shirts, jackets) - M&S, Crane Sports, Ralph Lauren etc.

[steve]

Sorry to hear of your experience. I think you sum up the position well and in the circumstances remarkably calmly. Small electric shutters are extremely vulnerable to being forced open.

Isolated properties are always going to be vunerable and a monitored alarm system offers the only realistic chance of catching intruders. With any luck the warning signs might put them off. Sadly an unmonitored alarm in an isolated location will either go unheeded or will allow the thieves time to disable it.

I can only add two points based on my own experience. Firstly record the serial numbers of your electrical goods so that there is a chance of identifying them later. Secondly have a look at www.preyproject.com which allows you to put tracers on your computers and internet phones so that if they are stolen you can input a signal to initiate a range of interesting options to block the equipment, to take a photo of whoever is using it, to locate it by GPS or to take a screen shot while it is in use.

[wee beanz]

Its sickening when someone has broken into your house, I know I've been there too, it never seems the same again, makes you want to sell it on, so sorry for you

[Michael Crane]

I agree with Steve on two points:

Prey - worth it, especially if you upgrade to even the lowest level.

Serial Numbers - It makes it easier for the police to identify stolen property and harder to sell on.

I hope you get it all sorted out and I hope those that robbed you get what they deserve.

[jonc]

Thanks for your kind words and PMs.

I am sure there will be more to add to the stolen list as we remember it. In the meantime, the TV details are:

Sony Bravia KDL46W5810, 46 inch, freesat, Black
SN S019001677G


Sony Bravia KDL40Z5800 40 inch, freesat, Black
SN 181579109201160


What gets me about the whole thing is that the people who robbed us clearly knew we were tourists, and English. With the economy of the Algarve based on tourism, this is biting the hand that feeds.. But I suppose that like in the UK, there are some people who think they deserve more than they have, and resent those who do.

We won't be selling the house, as I think that the majority of Algarvians are warm, friendly people and anyway, we like the place.

Jonathan.

[pato]

Thanks for your kind words and PMs.

I am sure there will be more to add to the stolen list as we remember it. In the meantime, the TV details are:

Sony Bravia KDL46W5810, 46 inch, freesat, Black
SN S019001677G


Sony Bravia KDL40Z5800 40 inch, freesat, Black
SN 181579109201160


What gets me about the whole thing is that the people who robbed us clearly knew we were tourists, and English. With the economy of the Algarve based on tourism, this is biting the hand that feeds.. But I suppose that like in the UK, there are some people who think they deserve more than they have, and resent those who do.

We won't be selling the house, as I think that the majority of Algarvians are warm, friendly people and anyway, we like the place.

Jonathan.

Don't credit the low life that they are with brains or morals, they don't give a Sh*t about anything only their own finances, hope you recover and get a shotgun.

[Ari Gold]

sorry to hear about this, i often wonder if the police ever make arrests

[James Faro]

Jonathan,

You must be extremely angry and understandably so; when all you have worked hard for and paid for can be stolen and removed within a few minutes, Your approach to this has been calm and measured but as far as I am concerned the culprits are thieving low-life scum. Still, what goes round comes round and they will a taste of their own medicine in one form or another.

A certain number of forum members have been subject to these thefts ;and even one was caught in broad daylight attempting to do it ,while the owner was in the property.

Your own home is your sanctity and place of safety . When a thief enters and steals, he takes not only your property but takes away your sense of security and that can cause endless misery and anxiety.

I do hope you can get over this.

[Michael Crane]

...... Still, what goes round comes round and they will a taste of their own medicine in one form or another.......

Or not. The 'hope' that a greater force will bring about their comeuppance is one I don't subscribe to. They'll probably live long and prosper with their ill-gotten gains as they sit back and put two fingers up to the decent folk in the world. Scum look out for scum.

[widge]

A certain number of forum members have been subject to these thefts ;and even one was caught in broad daylight attempting to do it ,while the owner was in the property.

James,let us know the name of the thieving rascal & we'll report him/her to the mods.

[James Faro]

A certain number of forum members have been subject to these thefts ;and even one was caught in broad daylight attempting to do it ,while the owner was in the property.

James,let us know the name of the thieving rascal & we'll report him/her to the mods.

You know what, I had a feeling that was wrongly worded!

[James Faro]

...... Still, what goes round comes round and they will a taste of their own medicine in one form or another.......

Or not. The 'hope' that a greater force will bring about their comeuppance is one I don't subscribe to. They'll probably live long and prosper with their ill-gotten gains as they sit back and put two fingers up to the decent folk in the world. Scum look out for scum.

Michael, don't you believe in Karma, then? I do, but it may take a long time for it to take effect. Every action has a consequence. The waste of space that stole from Jonathan's property or anybody else's do get their come uppance in one form of another. Of course it is not much help to their victims!

[Michael Crane]

...... The waste of space that stole from Jonathan's property or anybody else's do get their come uppance in one form of another.....

And you know this how?

[sam]

...... Still, what goes round comes round and they will a taste of their own medicine in one form or another.......

Or not. The 'hope' that a greater force will bring about their comeuppance is one I don't subscribe to. They'll probably live long and prosper with their ill-gotten gains as they sit back and put two fingers up to the decent folk in the world. Scum look out for scum.

When I worked in housing there was a family well known for property thefts. One of them moved into flat with his wife & child, and got his come uppance - they were burgled He came into the office wanting to be moved as they 'no longer felt safe'. The housing officer's reply - 'Now you know what it feels like.'