Villa Broken Into

[JohnaLynne]

Just back from 3 great weeks in Carverio again sadly only spoilt by the villa being broken into on the 1st October in the early hours of the morning we were 1 of 4 within 100 meters! we were in the ADM complex. They forced the patio doors and only took pounds and euro's if the security flood light had a bulb in it and the alarm worked we may have had a better nights sleep after the event!
So we will be looking for a villa next year not to be beaten by robbers!
Any owners with a secure villa about the same walking distance with availability Sept/Oct please drop me a PM or an email.

[EMM]

We advise our friends when they stay and we always when we are over is CLOSE the shutters at night so that the patio doors cannot be accessed.

Adding a simple bolt ( 3 euros ) to the shutters gives you additional security if they are the side hung type.

[JohnaLynne]

I went and bought some 2x1 to fit in the channels of the doors and window according to the GNR they forced the shutters on another villa and broke the glass so I suppose if they are desperate! and I didn't realise they have to catch them in the villa outside is no good

[martin.cork]

Sorry to hear about your recent burgalry, Unfortunately i am trying to prevent this from re-occuring for the past 5 years.
We have shutters, security grills (locked) which have only resulted in more damage caused in their efforts to gain entry.
We now have an alarm system and the break-ins have stopped. These Bast**** (burglar is too nice a word) watch your movements and just wait for their oppurtunity. The only advise I would give is put all your valuables in the safe and make sure the alarm is on, I would even go as far as leaving the alarm on when you are sleeping at night.
I will be out next week so if you hear a loud bang in the night it will mean one less Bas**** to worry about.
All the GNR can do is arrest ,charge and release again.
Unfortunately the more popular Carvoeiro gets the more vermon like this that it attracts.
Go to the markets and you will probably see your stolen goods for sale.
It only took a few weeks to get rid of a 40mtrs mast, pity the same effort is not put into preventing on going crime in the area. Only last week pensioners were tied up in their home at Penina, will we have to awit until aother tragedy like
the one in Alvor to happen in Carvoeiro.

[JohnaLynne]

Thanks for the reply Martin and EMM the villa had an alarm but it had a note stuck to it "Do Not Use" the sensors were all working I gather from some friends who live in Carvoeiro that there is moves afoot to try and combat the bas****'s more plain clothed/car patrols so time will tell

[pato]

Vigilance is the keyword, every visitor should be made aware of the dangers of complacancy, if you see people knocking around the area, photograph them, OK! they may be innocent, but sometime, somewhere the scallies will be identified. I've already been involved and chased a cheeky potential intruder, I later noticed that when a bicycle is chained to the lampost at the junction of the bottom entrance to the estate inevetably burglaries occur, so beware and keep your eyes open, it could be his mode of transport, some managers on the estate are aware of this fact.

[JohnaLynne]

To add to the story pato on the previous day about 09.15 there was a "gardener" arrived rake on the shoulder etc looked up at the kitchen window we thought no more of it we told the GNR gave them a description he smiled and asked did he have an ear ring the gardeners came on the Monday when we were out!
I spoke to one of the would be Mayor contestants and his reaction was "shoot them" he had been mugged twice in two years

[Bristle Si]

Thanks for the reply Martin and EMM the villa had an alarm but it had a note stuck to it "Do Not Use" the sensors were all working I gather from some friends who live in Carvoeiro that there is moves afoot to try and combat the bas****'s more plain clothed/car patrols so time will tell

Found this online from Portugal news in July this year:
According to the PSP police, every day 81 house burglaries are reported, and that average is expected to soar during the months of summer.

Last year, out of 29,659 reported burglaries of private residencies throughout Portugal more than 8,000 took place during summer.

In an attempt to crack down on summer burglaries the PSP organizes annual campaigns during the season to raise awareness amongst home owners as well as offering free vigilance for homes that are empty while the inhabitants are on vacation.

On average, during summer, house burglaries increase by 60 percent. The second most common crime during summer is car burglaries (stealing items from inside vehicles), followed by muggings and car theft.

However, it has been noted that during house burglaries, when the occupants are inside, the assailants rarely resort to violence.

Last year of the 29,659 reported house burglaries, 158 took place with the occupant being held at gunpoint; a rise in comparison to the previous year when 139 homes were burgled with the threat of a gun.

Last year’s statistics show that, by district, house break-ins rose by 25 percent in Lisbon, 16 percent in Oporto, 15 percent in the Algarve

The days of The Algarve and other places in southern europe, being "free" of crime are long gone. Vigilance is required, just as 'back home'. For those hiring villas why not demand villas with alarms and property security and if owners don't have those security measures book with someone else who does.

[EMM]

We had an alarm installed last winter, for peace of mind it was well worth the money.

The neighbours dog would be a greater deterrent if he got hold of them.

[Bristle Si]

Just to add to my previous post, quoting some burglary stats from Portugal, compared to UK it's like this:

UK reported burglaries in 2008, was 75,000, according to Home Office stats - population of UK around 60 million.

Portugal nearly 30,000 burglaries, population just over 10 million.

Yes, the word is definitely vigilance.

[EMM]

Statistics I have seen show 94,000 recorded burglaries in the metropolitan police area alone in 2007/8.
Home office statistic for England and wales Broken down by police Authority.
Thats 3 times more than all of Portugal
(violence against the person 172,000 recorded incidents also in the met.)

Where would you rather live ??

[Bristle Si]

Statistics I have seen show 94,000 recorded burglaries in the metropolitan police area alone in 2007/8.
Home office statistic for England and wales Broken down by police Authority.
Thats 3 times more than all of Portugal
(violence against the person 172,000 recorded incidents also in the met.)

Where would you rather live ??

That's not the issue. I was merely pointing out that Portugal is not a totally 'safe' place to live, immune from crime, that's all. Some people are so touchy on this forum.

And if it is far worse in UK that Portugal in terms of numbers of crimes, there are only 10m people in Portugal; the UK has 6 times the number of people, so in terms of these type of crimes/head of population there's not actually much difference.

My point is that we all need to be just as vigilant in Portugal as when we're at home in the UK; it is no longer a safe haven from this type of crime.

[JohnaLynne]

Sadly because of the economic climate and drugs it is not going to get better! if I find a Villa next year I will bring my own alarm system if the villa has an alarm system it would have to be zoned how many would be fitted this way? at home I have multi IR beams, zoned alarm and a detecting digital 4 camera system, all this because 5 years ago we had troubles with "travellers" (being polite) who tried to break into my garage! at least we can sleep at night more than my poor wife did on holiday after the event, I wonder how may times breakins are not reported or the figures cooked?

[patti]

I agree with you, Bristle Si however I do know of villas which have been broken into even though they had alarms fitted, these people ( I use that term loosely) know that they have upto twenty minutes before security firms arrive

[JohnaLynne]

I agree with you, Bristle Si however I do know of villas which have been broken into even though they had alarms fitted, these people ( I use that term loosely) know that they have upto twenty minutes before security firms arrive

Sounds like you need a "Rent a Dog" starting up