Burgled

[sunman]

seems a bit odd to be reading a (very sad & unfortunate) post like this and not seeing EMM & Widge air their views on it

[laserblazer]

I'm toying with the idea of fitting some PIR detectors on the doors.

[Farol]

I'm still confused by these two with the owners holding back on what happened. I assume there was no forced entry which would mean if everywhere was secured and alarmed that it had to be somebody that had had access to keys and alarm codes. If that is the case then it doesn't indicate a general problem. Additionally fitting extra security devices to the main system would be of no benefit as the offenders would presumably be able to turn those off as part as the overall alarm system.

What might help some people sleep at night would be personal door alarms such as you can buy to use in hotels etc. They could be hung on bedroom doors and balcony doors at night and would go off if the door was moved. As they are standalone from the main alarm system only the occupants would know about them and they cannot be by-passed.

[mardi]

Just to let everyone know there was forced entry into our house via glass door which was smashed. The police quickly discovered the perpetrator had climbed over our wall as he had left his footprints behind.

[hale]

If anyone has a smart phone you can download a app that turns you phone into a motion alarm, granted the alarm is not that loud but I use it in hotels propped up against the door and it would wake me if it went off.

[shanagarry]

The impact of a burglary should not be underestimated. It is a very frightening experience in that somebody has the temerity to enter, uninvited, your property and steal your belongings - when you are there.The added worry is what they could have done if you accosted them or they were intent on inflicting greater harm.

After moving permanently to Cvo in 2009, following 23 years of holidaying in that little piece of heaven, we looked forward to a life in pleasant surroundings. Within 2 years our dream became a nightmare.

After 3 burglaries and having to live under siege conditions - it was the straw that broke the camels back and we decided to come back to the UK. We know that burglaries are just as likely to happen here but they have never happened to us. Cvo, as well as any other holiday resort is a haven for thieving opportunists with no regard for their victims. People on holiday leave their guard down for a 'moment' because they are on holiday and relaxed - only to be left terrified and out of pocket as a result of them enjoying themselves. Small items are easily transported and traded for drugs and the authorities seem powerless to prevent this intrusive and life-changing activity. It's not just a Cvo thing - but it does tarnish your attitude towards a place you like and invested in.

When we owned and rented our properties I included a page at the beginning of the villa handbooks - similar to a health warning on a packet of cigarettes - setting out the steps to be taken when leaving the property. Some of our clients would call me on receipt of the handbook to get clarification as to the likelihood of them being robbed/burgled. I would urge them to follow the advice by turning it into an enjoyable routine (with someone being the Security Officer for the day) and never had an incident in 15 years. Regretfully, you do have to have the siege mentality when holidaying. It is not conducive to creating a peaceful environment for a holiday but prevention is better than cure. Unfortunately complacency can set in after a few incident-free days and it's then the opportunists strike.

Robberies from cars on arrival at a property are commonplace. The excitement on arrival at the villa and the sight of the pool results in a mass exodus to look around their 'new' home and the car is left unlocked and briefly unattended - and the holiday is ruined when they come back to unload only to find a case or bag missing.

Carvoeiro is a truly beautiful place and crime is not around every corner looking to pounce on the unsuspecting holiday-maker but you have to take precautions - without exception. Our visits to Cvo have reduced significantly since coming back to the UK and finding other beautiful destinations to visit. The crime prevention lessons we learned are still with us - regardless of where we go.

Happy Holidays everybody going to CVO - have fun - but be on your guard

[tricky]

Wise words and good advice. It's right that we do let our guard down on holiday and we take risks with our belongings that we never would in the uk. How many times do we leave our bag on the beach towel while we go for a swim. That's like leaving our handbag on a park bench in the uk while we feed the ducks! You'd never do it. Crime is rife in every country and to put it in
Perspective, probably much less so in Carvoeiro than in your home town

[Michael Crane]

I'm toying with the idea of fitting some PIR detectors on the doors.

They can get in via door or window. I have these CLICK HERE with me on every holiday and I set them up so that if anyone gets in and breaks the beam I am woken by a very loud siren. The alarm and a big stick by my bed should handle anyone daft enough to sneak into the bedroom.

Slightly off topic: This type of burglary goes on in the Hisaronu-area of Turkey where I take my summer holidays. I set up a Security Section on my Hisaronu Forum which you might find useful. Break Ins is the one the read relating to alarms.

[alf1956]

Shanagary , its so sad what has happened to you&making you leave Carvoeiro but it seems to be they way of the world these days where as people consider it their right to take from hard working people because they are too idle to go out&work to earn money to buy things like we do&think its ok to steal what they want. You can bet your life that if they had things stolen from them or had their property broken into&violated they would be screaming like a banshee.

[pato]

Shanagary , its so sad what has happened to you&making you leave Carvoeiro but it seems to be they way of the world these days where as people consider it their right to take from hard working people because they are too idle to go out&work to earn money to buy things like we do&think its ok to steal what they want. You can bet your life that if they had things stolen from them or had their property broken into&violated they would be screaming like a banshee.

They'd be rushing down to the social services seeing if there were any benefits for trauma after a break in.

[alf1956]

Very true pato&they would probably get something as well !

[sam]

...people consider it their right to take from hard working people because they are too idle to go out&work to earn money to buy things like we do&think its ok to steal what they want. You can bet your life that if they had things stolen from them or had their property broken into&violated they would be screaming like a banshee.

When I worked in housing in Coventry there was a family notorious for theft and break ins. One of them married, got a council flat and was subsequently burgled. They came to our Housing Association making a big fuss asking to be rehoused as they no longer felt safe in their own home. A colleague interviewed them, flatly refused to help and told them 'Now you know how it feels!'.

[djprescott]

...people consider it their right to take from hard working people because they are too idle to go out&work to earn money to buy things like we do&think its ok to steal what they want. You can bet your life that if they had things stolen from them or had their property broken into&violated they would be screaming like a banshee.

When I worked in housing in Coventry there was a family notorious for theft and break ins. One of them married, got a council flat and was subsequently burgled. They came to our Housing Association making a big fuss asking to be rehoused as they no longer felt safe in their own home. A colleague interviewed them, flatly refused to help and told them 'Now you know how it feels!'.

That's shocking - you can't speak to people like that!!!

[shanagarry]

That's shocking - you can't speak to people like that!!!

It's the only language they understand

[sam]

That's shocking - you can't speak to people like that!!!

It's the only language they understand

Too true. I knew the family from my days in social services and can assure you they were not offended, just amazed that anyone had the guts to stand up to them.
Sometimes it pays to talk their language. I took over one area from our housing manager. One family were constantly in arrears. I called them into the office and told them that they either start paying their rent and arrears and stick to their agreement or I go to court for an eviction order. (This is the polite version.) He was a big guy and he leaned back in his chair, glared at me, then beamed and said " I like you, you speak my language. I used to like winding up Mr S.... so I'll miss the fun." he then bought out a wad of notes, peeled of the £100s that he owed and paid in full. He then said "Now about my faulty toilet". Fixed the next day. Rent regularly paid in full and on time after that.
The area I did social work had been classified as the worse council estate in the country. When you've been verbally abused and threatened with violence (one of my colleagues was actually stabbed, and one of my clients stabbed someone two days after I did a home visit) you learn when to stand up to people and speak their language, or walk away.