Some dirty stinking rotters broke into my car at Canieros yesterday afternoon and stole my handbag, credit cards, money, phone etc from the boot.
We were only gone for half-an-hour. There was no-one around when I parked - the cops said they'd been watching from the scrub.
We found empty wallets on the ground nearby (sadly not mine! so its obviously a lucrative business for them.
Beware - leave NOTHING in the boot.

I leave absolutely nothing in my hire car. I did once and was robbed in Lagos, and since then it's been completely empty. It's the only way. 'Hiding' property in the boot does no good - a thief doesn't know what's in there until he's broken in.

I felt sick when I discovered our theft, so I know what you're going through.

I have just rented a car for 16 days in December from ECH and this time I have taken out the extra insurance. It cost £1.50 per day but it might turn out to be money well spent.

I am so very sorry and I know how it makes you feel really sick when it happens to you.... BUT..... surely by now everyone should know that you NEVER leave anything in a car when it is parked at a beach or beauty spot in Portugal or anywhere, I am sorry but it really is asking to be robbed to leave such important documents in a car and walk away!!!!

I am very sorry to read about this, Sandy. Going away, even to a very pretty area such as Canieros beach can give a false sense of security and you can be off your normal guard very easily. These thieves think nothing of their actions and the distress it obviously causes.

Even when a car appears to be empty inside with no valuables, these vermin will still think nothing of smashing the glass or prising the door open hoping that something may be worth finding something concealed.

There are some tourist places where you see certain individuals letting you know there is a parking space and they hope you will give them a euro ot two as a thank you. Tip or no tip, they keep a lookout and tell their partners in crime what cars to break into from what they have observed.

sorry to hear about the loss Sandy, but you are your own worst enemy - why take a handbag, wallet, phone, money, credit cards to the beach?? you are only 10 mins drive from your accomodation (presume CVO?) and you arent going to use the things on the beach are you??

Everyone does it, but they shouldn't!

If you've got a hatchback then it's best to take the parcel shelf out so that the scum can see that there is nothing inside ( but even then some will still smash the window just for the sake of it).

cereza wrote:If you've got a hatchback then it's best to take the parcel shelf out so that the scum can see that there is nothing inside ( but even then some will still smash the window just for the sake of it).

good suggestion!

As a keen flyfisherman I used to fish at lakes near bristol, Chew Blagdon etc. My car was broken into twice and I was one of many. Security gates and police patrols have not deterred the thieves. As in the UK so in Portugal do not leave anything in your car that would tempt them.

EMM wrote:As a keen flyfisherman I used to fish at lakes near bristol, Chew Blagdon etc. My car was broken into twice and I was one of many. Security gates and police patrols have not deterred the thieves. As in the UK so in Portugal do not leave anything in your car that would tempt them.

We get a lot of visitors from Liverpool in Bristol, it was probably one of them what dunnit.

cereza wrote:If you've got a hatchback then it's best to take the parcel shelf out so that the scum can see that there is nothing inside .....

You'll probably not need to do this. Every hatchback I've ever rented did not have a parcel shelf fitted. They are (nearly) always removed by the rental companies.

I had a long lunch at caneiros yesterday and there were a lot of people/cars there. When we left the restaurant around 5 o'clock the gnr were patrolling the car park, maybe because of your break in. I am sorry you had this experience and thank God it hasn't happened to me, yet. You did nothing wrong, nothing on display and the shites still broke into your boot. Lesson to us all and I will speak to the owner on my next visit to let him know there are mutterings

Thanks Ron.

widge wrote:

EMM wrote:As a keen flyfisherman I used to fish at lakes near bristol, Chew Blagdon etc. My car was broken into twice and I was one of many. Security gates and police patrols have not deterred the thieves. As in the UK so in Portugal do not leave anything in your car that would tempt them.

We get a lot of visitors from Liverpool in Bristol, it was probably one of them what dunnit.

Or maybe just one of the interbred sh*******s that live in Bedminster!!

widge wrote:

EMM wrote:As a keen flyfisherman I used to fish at lakes near bristol, Chew Blagdon etc. My car was broken into twice and I was one of many. Security gates and police patrols have not deterred the thieves. As in the UK so in Portugal do not leave anything in your car that would tempt them.

We get a lot of visitors from Liverpool in Bristol, it was probably one of them what dunnit.

Naw Scouse thieves are fussy who they rob

just an idea, I often leave my window down and the doors open when parking at the more remote beaches, also remove the rear parcel shelf; basing my theory that the "scroats" are not interested in stealing the car