Violence in the Algarve

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 06, 2005 7:14 am

I was very worried to read about that very unfortunate burglery and death of the owner of a Loule Villa.....(And possible rape) ..We have these things all the time in the Uk however a three hour wait for the police to arrive and they didnt even take fingerprints.!!!
Last week a young man (Ex UK now living in Carvoiero) was staggering home a little worse for wear after a night out having fun.......the GNR picked him up and took him to the station......when he arrived his face was beaten to pulp .....couldnt see his eyes..his arms were bleeding from cuts.......they (four of them) had beaten him sensless for 20 minutes......this is our local Police here in Carvoeiro........whatever this man did to provoke them (If anything) never deserved such a beating.......so before we sit back in our lovely and safe (As it was) Algarve....people should be aware that crime and violence is on the up...( Thats includes FROM the GNR )..apparantly ..the Loule death was after nine other unsolved Burgleries..........and we have had many here in Carvoeiro in the last 6 Months.....
Get yourself a big dog and don't complain about it barking at strangers....the Algarve is no longer a quaint safe place to live.

pm · Post by pm » Fri May 06, 2005 8:03 am

It is quite unsafe to generalise from one incident to a universal law.

1) When my car was stolen in the uk, the police couldn't have been less interested. When our house was burgled, the soco dutifully took finger prints and told me there was no point as they had no chance of catching the guy anyway. A slightly negative view, but there you go.

2) Mostly, people do not beat up other people for no reason. What would the police gain from this?
Are you getting this info from the drunk? "I glanced at my watch before they started hitting me and asked a policeman the time when they stopped. It's the first thing I thought of."
Can we see the evidence for this please?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:24 am

Its not relevant as to why they beat him to a pulp......I know the lad well and he is a real Mr. Softy......but even if he had bad mouthed them they shouldnt be beating him like that........I dont just mean a simple beating, I mean he cannot open his eyes and he looks worse than I have ever seen anybody who has been beaten up ( He has brought charges so we will find out the story...maybe..!! ) ............and as for generalising I dont think 9 break ins in the same area is generalising .......
My point is ..I am personally very worried about this......and recently on this site there were many similar fears voiced after an alarming increase in violent crimes..in the Carvoeiro area.....
Beware and take precautions........

ps......Was talking to the Proscom people last week.......they told me about the huge increase in drug related crime here and a 50% increase in house crime over the last 5 years.......that IS worrying.......(Yes I know they sell Alarms...)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 06, 2005 2:54 pm

the correio de manha reported that the police thought he was trying to break in to a house or restaurante and possible had done it before. He had a knife and stabbed one of the policemen (not badly). He said he carries his knife because of his work, where was he working that time of the morning and what was he working on?
It's also reported that the was very drunk and he can't remember beng stopped by the police or them asking him anything, but he can remember how many times they hit him!
If he can't remember because he was so drunk how can he be so sure it was the police that beat him up and not the police trying to sort out the problem of others beating him up? he's in the correio de manha today, photo and all

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 06, 2005 3:32 pm

Mmm....very interesting.......obviously two sides to every story.......lets see the outcome of this.......he is very well known down the village and a popular guy....most nights playing pool with all the other young people....and having fun......stabbing a policeman and house breaking.....personallly I think it sounds a bit 'Fishy'..but who knows.........

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 06, 2005 9:43 pm

Just read this weeks Resident.......It is just full of crime related problems.....GNR related problems........etc etc......page after page........It is a very big problem and we cannot (As Pm would like) bury our heads in the sand........we exist here on the understanding of a safe place to live.....we are losing tourists hand over foot to the old easern block....IF..the Algarve goes this way...honestly without sounding alarmist.....there is not much to keep the ex pat here...and don't kid yourself...anybody..without the Expats the Algarve really will wilt..........

pm · Post by pm » Fri May 06, 2005 9:54 pm

It's not burying your head in the sand, it's just some understanding of stats. You see what you are looking for

spectre · Post by **spectre** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:03 pm

Guest dont think the Algarves losing tourists to the Eastern bloc because of crime.
Prices more like it!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 07, 2005 7:39 am

Read all the local press this week and the Portuguese........and draw your own conclusions.......crime IS a major problem.........as are prices and the lack of smiley faces.........why are so many of the local Portuguese all so grumpy and long faced............Ah well back to Thailand, we have a lot of crime but at least I get Smiley faces everyday......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 07, 2005 9:48 am

Lets hope that things get better ...I di think that the GNR seem to be improving a little I've noticed they have much younger and smarter (Dressed) GNR on duty in Carvoeiro this year......Is thata good sign..??

guest. · Post by **guest.** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:46 pm

The GNR are very poorly paid and often appear disatissfied with their jobs. I think they take it out on certain individuals, often more than one or two of them. I certainly wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. They have their own rule book!!! It's not Law and Order but looks more like corruption.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 17, 2005 10:31 pm

Algarve......Is a very corrupt place...end of story........I run small business here..I have to pay off a lot of people almost every week ...otherwise I die........before I came here I have been in business all over the worls....from the USA to South Africa ( Yes even SA ) and I have found the Algarve to be the most corrupt....I hope to leave soon because of this ..but it takes time to wind down.....Unfortunately I employ a few (15 to 20) people ...so I have to pay many of them pro rata on the months they have worked for me.....so I cant just close.....beware ...retire here and it's wonderful...work in certain sectors and you will be drummed out either by beaurocratic problems or corruption ..(In my case protection rackets)......
By the way I dont know all the facts but the man that was beaten up...(and I reiterate this is heresay) ) did have a penknife..was in the Carvoeiro Strip club ..had left his mobile in there after closing....and was stupid enough to try and re enter via a window......the GNR virtually own this club........and are usually found in the 'Back rooms' of the club......they cought him and beat him very badly..............probably he was guilty but certainly he was guilty of being very stupid in a quasi police run and owned club........Oh and why did the Strip club nxt to the fish and chip shop close.....pop in and ask the owner..she will tell you how the Police from the club mentioned......gave her no choice......

she · Post by **she** » Tue May 17, 2005 11:42 pm

Your post has worried me guest.From what you are saying,if I needed help for some reason,its no good going to the police there because theyre all corrupt and I wouldnt receive any?

guest3 · Post by **guest3** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:24 am

the guest post is rubish, how do you know so much about strip joints?
you probably spend your money on strip joints and don't pay your employes, no wonder you get threatened, the idiot who left the mobile inside the bar and tried to break in by a window, is breaking the law, he also been stoped by the police and tried to stabed him or did stabed him with a penknife, i'm afraid he's breaking the law again, you call that corruption?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:29 am

...Unfortunately 'She'...it's often true......Don't take my word, read the papers or ask anybody that has had a break in......the Police are rarely interested......It's a fact.

As for guest 3.....Once again ...read the papers or pop into Safari Bar and ask the lady why she had to close..or befriend a few of the GNR youself and talk to them.........facts are facts my friend........(Yes that guy was stupid and broke the law...his face was beaten to pulp.....who knows the real story , I guess it will come out , one day...maybe...)

..however.....I have found that as long as you keep your nose clean...don't cros the GNR...don't expect any help if you have a break in......or much else for that matter...it's a great place to live...especially if you don't have to work......and much safer than UK....I personally will leave not just because I'm fed up with the corruption which is rife....(And I'm talking at top level...Senior..Government officials ....I have nothing to do with Strip Joints.).........but because the Red Tape has curtailed growth so much in my company I've decided it better to put my Investments where I can realise better return..without all the Hassle......
Enjoy the Sun .........