Villa Broken Into

[jonboy]

Not a bad idea Pato - I dont see why this situation 1) cannot at least be partially resolved with a bit more thought from the GNR and better use of resources which is currently being swamped with post event paper filling 2) is not receiving more attention from local goverment as it has the potential to depress tourism revenue.

I was out last night in UK and two in the party have bought properties on the silver coast in the last year both giving rising crime on Algarve for reasons not to buy there. Similarly a business contact of mine is selling his villa and apartment in Luz for the same reason and looking to buy outside of the region purely because of break ins. He has been a property owner in the Algarve for some 20 odd years and is tired of continually spending money on additional security measures and worrying about the next call from his house manager or security firm. Make no mistake this is not a small problem and unless the authorities take some real tough measures then more and more gangs whether it be eastern europeans, local wrong uns, ciganos or whoever will breeze on in and make hay as they know they can get away with it. It is as simple as that and it is very worrying indeed that no one on high can see that over time if this situation remains unchecked it will impact perhaps the Algarves bigger source of revenue.

[Polli62]

Why dont you email Clive Jewell at the British Consulate in Portimao with your concerns about the rise in crime in your area and ask him to relay this to the President of your local Camara.The more residents/ home owners that do this could help in some action being taken.

British Consulate - Portimão
Apartado 609
Edificio A Fabrica
Avenida Guanaré
8501-915 Portimão


Tel +351 282490750
Fax +351 282414054
Email: bc.portimao@netcabo.pt
ukinportugal.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/algarve/contact-us

British Consul: Clive Jewell
British Vice Consul: Angela Morado

We are open to the public Monday to Friday from 09.30 to 14.30

[jonboy]

Thank you Polli62 this is a really good suggestion and I urge as many of you on here who feel that more action is required to take a few minutes out and pen an e mail to Clive Jewell asking that he considers taking this up with the Camara on our behalf. I am sure there will those here that will predict that the request to the Camara will be met with the usual dismissive response but unless there some form of actions taken, and I think that this is an excellent conduit through which to voice our concerns, we will all still be here complaining about the same but much bigger problem this time next year.

Can I ask that someone who is a member of the Expats forum posts something similar with the same suggestion in order to generate more e mail traffic to the British Consul - this is an Algarve wide issue and not just specific to Carvoeiro.

Please do take the time to e mail Clive and perhaps ask him to seek out stats on the number of reported cases from each Camara. Maybe those that write in could confirm when they have sent their mails so that we can gauge the number of mails going to the Consul?



JB

[EMM]

This has all be done before, there was a very active campaign earlier this year, you can read the details in the back issue of the Algarve Resident.
Reported crime in the Algarve in 2010 during the busy holiday months was down on 2009.

[jonboy]

Sent my e mail in.

I am sure that was the reported statistic but there is very little evidence of that statistic holding true in Carvoeiro judging by the number of break ins I am aware of and those recently reported here.

I woudl still urge sending e mails to the Consul.

JB

[EMM]

Are you aware that the consul has had meetings with senior members of the Algarve goverment and that additional police were sent to the Algarve this year.
If and it could be a big If, that the problem in some parts of carvoeiro has worsened then it could be down the the effectiveness of additional policing elsewhere.

[jonboy]

A good point EMM and it is feasible that improved results elsewhere has resulted in a more mobile bunch of crims arriving in Carvoeiro. Hopefully the more people that take the time to write in the more chance we have of those those changes to policing elsewhere being implemented in Carvoeiro? A long shot I agree but there is little doubt in my mind that there has not been a reduction of break in crime around here in 2010...

JB

[alf1956]

we have just has an attempted break in at monte servo!luckily the alarm went off so they didnt actually steal anything but the bastards did actually get in.what are he police going to do as its becoming a regular occurence now

[jonboy]

Monte Servo is becoming another hot spot with regular incidents with no prosecutions- suggest you write to the address at the British Consul.....something has to be done...

JB

[jonboy]

And another break in on Monte Servo last Wednesday - two in a week that I know of. These guys must just alternate bewteen ADM and Monte Servo - totally unacceptable and GNR just not prepared to accept that they have an issue or more importantly go beyond saying that they know who they are and cannot do anything about it. I would hazard a guess that there are two plus incidents a week between the two areas.....

[shanagarry]

I've been following this topic since it started and agree that the matter needs urgent attention.

We look after a property in VdM and I have been over there on a daily basis for the last week - driving through Monte Servo and AdM on the way there and back. The one noticeable aspect is the absence of 'people' - both places are deserted (or at least they were when I was there). I stopped my engine and got out and while I relished the silence - it is not hard to see why it is a burglary 'hot-spot'. I don't have a solution as I can't imagine the GNR are going to have a permanent patrol - but representation has to be made and soon. There is a distinct possibility that insurance cover for those areas might become prohibitively expensive as a result of this growing trend.

It would be easy to attribute this trend to the absence of holiday makers - something that these difficult times might also be responsible for. Are there any official statistics (apart from those for 2009) that might suggest this year is the worst ever and is it an Algarve phenomenon or is it widespread across Iberia holiday home areas.

I apologise to those of you who have been victims as all the 'talk' about statistics doesn't help protect your property. However, you should know that politicians and their kind will only do something if it can be supported with unshakeable facts - the British Consul is a 'sort of' politician.

I noticed that one person has written to him - why not get a petition arranged through a group of volunteers standing in supermarket entrances (with the supermarket's permission) gathering names and signatures of supporters for action - that won't go unnoticed:)

[pato]

Agreed it's the squeaky wheel that get's the oil, I'm surprised though that the villas are broken into when there are no holiday occupants, I thought they were then the prime attraction for the thieves, stealing the cash and jewellery, my place has been "done" on four occasions, only when we've had holidaymakers in residence and only in the day. If you read one of my early posts about my encounter with a thief and the reaction of the GNR you'll get a feel for the response.

[EMM]

Where we have our hoilday apartment the " development/complex " employs its own security guards with constant patrols which we pay in our annual charge.
We have seen a similar operation at Pestana.
What is to stop owners in these areas in Carvoeiro from organising there own security.
Do they pay condo charges, is there a local " reputable "management company that could arrange this ??

[shanagarry]

is there a local " reputable "management company that could arrange this

I wonder

[jonboy]

Good advice Shanagarry and yes you are right about Monte Servo it is quiet up there as are the two roads leading to it. There is a lot of anger amongst the residents and I fear that there is going to be an issue if these characters are caught in the act by one or two of the owners who are quite clearly more than able to deal with such a situation. Maybe a petetion is another good idea but I do feel that the Consul will talk to Lagoa Camara should enough people raise there concerns to him about Monte Servo and indeed ADM.....
JB