Crime in Carvoeiro and the Algarve - Fact or Fiction?

James Faro · Post by **James Faro** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:52 pm

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to get a picture of the crime situation in the Algarve.

I have personally been to Carvoeira twice and stayed on the outskirts of Faro and have found it delightful and crime-free. I suppose two weeks on holidays is not the same as living there all year round and out-of-season,

While staying in villas in CVO we were advised to ensure to leave all valuables in the safe and ensure the shutters are pulled down every time without fail and these sort of instructions seem to be constantly embedded! Maybe the holiday companies don't want a flood of spurious claims!

Looking at this great forum, it heavily seems to suggest that you just need to be careful while inside and while away from the property.

I know violent crime is rare ,so break-ins seem to be the norm, a rather sad norm and comes from opportunists and not necessarily Portuguese people.

From what I have researched in this great forum and others, range from just being careful to a type of siege mentality!

Some other forums suggest that the minute you leave your villa there are eyes in the bushes waiting for a car to leave or a window to open then to pounce at the earliest opportunity!

Any country that is crime-free is a fantasy and you have to expect it and at the most unexpected time.

My own thoughts is that seeing the number of postings in this great website that is a non-issue where in others outside Carvoero there seeks to be a massive influx of crime.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Sorry for bringing up a depressing choice in such a sunny forum.

I live in Camden, North London and thefts, break-ins and even murder is just an expected occurence. If I can survive in Camden I am sure I can survive anywhere.CVO ,I am sure, is a million percent improvement!

- James

HampshireRich · Post by **HampshireRich** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:43 pm

Hi James - there was a recent thread on this topic as you may have read. My personal experience of CVO from many visits since the ealry 90's is it is a pretty safe place to be and certainly feels very safe when you are walking around.

This is not to say thefts from villas, pickpockets etc do not exist but my belief is that it is less in CVO than other countries/cities I have visisted. Certainly a siege mentality would be a disaster for the area.

HR

James Faro · Post by **James Faro** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:13 pm

HI HR,

Thanks for that feedback. No I haven't seen that thread but will look it up.

- James

wolfie · Post by **wolfie** » Sun May 18, 2008 8:20 pm

we have been going to CVO for over 20 years and it is a safe place to enjoy a holiday .It is a lot safer than the UK and if you compare rates of crime - particularly violent crime then it is almost negligible compared with the UK . But it has increased in the last few years ,some folks say since immigration especially from eastern europe .So it is not paradise but it is safe and we do not worry about walking around at any time .If you leave valuables by the pool do not be surprised if a local jack the lad jumps over the hedge and nicks your camera .Like anywhere you just need to be sensible

James Faro · Post by **James Faro** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:00 pm

Hi Wolfie,

Thanks for the feedback. It may be the case that reading about it is far more dramatic that someone taking a random chance of "nicking" something!

I am sure if crime was epidemic in CVO it would not have been mentioned rarely in this forum.

Best - James

yakxx · Post by **yakxx** » Mon May 19, 2008 1:57 pm

There is a huge amount of crime in the Algarve including Carvoeiro but not limited to it in any way. In the Portimao area there are dozens of 'Forced entry' reports every day. I personally know at least six friends who have been burgled during the last couple of months. Don't leave valuables anywhere evn if you are sitting around the pool is good advise but things have changed very much in the last year or so and well organised gangs are rife here. I have two large dogs, alarms connected to the police station etc etc...When they came (Whilst we were at dinner) they seemed to know the place so well, only took antiques and jewelry, didnt bother with the cam corders and the like ...they were very organised. Later the police told us this sort of job is very common today. They told us we were lucky to be out because these guys were coming anyway in their opinion.
As a footnote ...the police were very polite and have now 'Filed' the case ...we lost over 100K of valuables and they didnt even bother to walk around the exterier of the Villa....enough said...
Be very careful....

James Faro · Post by **James Faro** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:15 pm

Thanks Yakxx. What you have mentioned is most alarming and will certainly influence my decision,