Carvoeiro Visited June 2009 Criminal Thoughts

[James Faro]

Hi all.

I haven't posted here in a long time and I should have!

I stayed in Carvoeiro in June for a wonderful two weeks this year. Before I go negative in my comments, I first wish to be positive.

It has been over two years since I stayed in the resort. I visited it briefly last year as I chose a differen resort to holiday of which I now lament. I did visit Carvoeiro for a day and I knew in my heart and in my head this is the best place to stay.

I have long term plans to buy a property in Carvoeiro. This is not just a whim or a fanciful idea but a serious dedicated purchase.

OK, the positive things.

The People
This is the best attraction of this resort. Both the ex-pats and the Portuguese are genuinely welcoming people/ They could not be more helpful or sincere. I have travelled a lot and I know genuine warmth and helpfulness when I see it. Carvoeiro has an abundant supply of it.

Parking
I read a lot about the parking works in the main centre and thought it would be a disaster. WRONG! It is much better. OK, parking is bit more difficult but there is now greater safety for pedestrians and that has to take precedence. In the end of the day there will always be a parking space.

Animals
So many strays around but they are not mistreated. Portuguse people really do love animals and this is a wonderful humanitarian quality. I miss that little black dog that sits outside one of the main restaurants. He has a little red scarf and a BIG personality.

So, there are so many positive things what on earth can be the negative? Well, there is one and it is property related. As I mentioned earlier I wish to buy a house, or buy a plot of land and build one. HOWEVER. from the discussions I have had with property owners both Portuguese and ex-pat the problem is CRIME!

Coming from London you'd think such a resort would be blissfully safe but I have heard of so many break-ins and robberies in Carvoeiro from property owners that the decision to buy in Carvoeiro has really put a severe dent in the willingness to buy. I can take care of myself and I am big enough and ugly enough to confront a potential thief but leaving members of my family behind for short visits to the UK really has put a bucket of water on my flames of purchase desire. The basic principle of your home is to feel safe inside!

Are there any property owners in this forum or do you know of any that have never or rarely been targeted. Or, is from what I have been told just blown out of all proportion?

Many thanks - James

[Lesley Jean]

Hi, I think the problem is within the holiday 'resorts' in and around the town, the villas that are rented out every couple of weeks, I think the criminal side of the world has realised that when people go on holiday they seem to leave their brains behind !! You would not leave your place unlocked or windows open in the UK if you are not around so why do it on holiday. I fear that there is a number of people who are either homeless or very poor or illegal immigrants who have found that the quick - in and out - method of burglary works for small things that can be then sold on for cash.

We have owned a property in the countryside between Lagoa and Carvoeiro and so far we have not had a problem with crime for over 6 years now. You really do just have to be a little more careful and not be silly about leaving windows or doors open if you are spending the day by your pool.

Don't let it put you off buying a place just make sure that you have good insurance and ask your guests to be sensible and vigilant.

[alf1956]

i do not think that the crime in cvo is any better or worse than most places i think it is because we come to cvo that is such a heavenly place to come to that you do not expect to hear about break-ins etc

[EMM]

We live in an " unfashionable area " not a holday complex or up market villa area but one with a predominatley Portuguese population.
No evidence of the levels of crime some report.

Criminals look for easy target, and as with many things in life events can get blown out of all proportion.

Lets see if any one can do a proper statistical analysis, ie no of breakins as a % of properties and visitors.

Agree 200% with you about the new village centre , of course it could of been better but let see what develops.

[SJ & RE]

LJ hit the nail on the head and echoed much of what I have written as well.
Living in the Portugese areas and not so much on the holiday resorts equate to different effects of crime.
The complexes are easy targets, and all one is saying, remember to lock as you do at home and not make life easy for the criminal.

[bessieboo]

It would be interesting to try and get some statistics together with regard to crime, as apart from one surfboard robbery report that I've heard about on another site, the only crime stories have been the ones on here, (all of which I found pretty scary), though I've heard worse stories about Spain. & people hiding in wardrobes. We too have just returned from yet another fabulous 2 weeks, staying on QDP thankfully without any problems, and I would agree with everyone elses comments with regard to awareness, and not thinking you're safe just because you're in another country. If I'm perfectly honest, the Maddie McCann thing unsettled me to the extent that I now always sleep with our daughter when we're in Carvoeiro - actually we're far more likely to suffocate than anything else because we're so tightly locked in!!! Having said that, I have always felt safe during the daytime, but would never go out unlocked, leave valuables in the car, leave my handbag unattended etc.. I too live in London & think it becomes a part of your life. Unfortunately I think no matter where you go, as a tourist you are always a target.

One thing that did happen was that my partner was offered hash in the square at 2.15pm one Sunday afternoon. I was a bit shocked, but he found it incredibly flattering that anyone would think that he, at the ripe old age of 45, looked like a hash smoker!!

ps. We are returning last week of August

[Rampage]

We have owned our house in Mato Serrao, near Monte Santo, since early 2002 and have never had anything stolen or heard of any of our guests being burgled/robbed. The only break-in that I know about was a few years ago when some moron forced the old lock on the front door (now replaced with a much sturdier variety) in the middle of the day. His timing was impeccably inept however as he chose to carry out his raid after clients had left for the airport at the end of their holiday and before the new ones had arrived! Consequently he left empty-handed. Here in Sarawak we are considered to be in a relatively low-crime environment but we personally know people who have had houses burgled and petty thefts from properties. As has been said many times on here before there are very few places in the world that you won't get crime of this type. I just googled 'crime statistics by country' and came up with some interesting figures (this is for all crime but it's probably safe to ssumed that there is a fairly similar split of different types of crime in developed countries):

Portugal: 34.3833 per 1000 people
UK: 85.5517
France: 62.1843
even Switzerland, which most people would consider pretty law abiding has a figure of 36.1844, and sleepy New Zealand (where sheep outnumber people): 105.881!

Obviously there will be inconsistencies between countries in the reporting of crimes but I think the figures do apply a bit of perspective.

[Gambrinus]

sleepy New Zealand (where sheep outnumber people): 105.881!

Those sheep are making the kiwis look bad!

Speaking of perspective (and because somebody mentioned Maddi), we are not talking about armed robbery or child abductions here.
The criminals have every interest in keeping a low profile and will almost always opt to target the houses when they are empty or to flee if confronted (have to date not heard of anyone being injured in a break-in around these parts) because ironically, they need happy and careless tourists to keep being happy and careless and they know it. Bad press is bad for their buisness too.

[blue]

I would think that any resorts anywhere in the world will be a target, I even knew of one nasty family from the UK who used to take the opportunity when they were on holiday to lift anything they could from fellow holidaymakers. I've just read in The Resident that Vilamoura have a very bad crime problem & are re-forming a neighbour hood watch scheme. We have been robbed twice, burgled in ADM & bag nicked in Intermarche, in both cases it was a lack of security on our part. Ah well live & learn (I hope).

[bollinger]

I have owned two apartments in Carvoeiro over the years with no problems whatsoever. However, I now have a villa at Algar Seco which has been broken into and robbed twice last year. Every villa owner I know has also been robbed.
When the GNR (eventually) responded, they had a numbered crime report form. I asked what the numbers related to and ws told that the 08 was the year, another digit identified the Carvoeiro area, a further digit the type of crime (in my case a house break in) then a number which was the number of break ins that year so far. Mine was in th thousands!
I clarified with the GNR that the figures really meant what was being suggested - that mine was the one thousand break in IN CVO THAT YEAR - and it was only half way through!!!

[Michael Crane]

...When the GNR (eventually) responded, they had a numbered crime report form....

I am not surprised. Lagos GNR have an A4 pad of the carpark for Intermarché so that you can tell them precisely where your car was parked when it was broken into!

[jonboy]

Was there any further information published on the raids at Poco Partido last week ?
JB

[jonboy]

House burglary boom expected
18/7/2009

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, and ten percent in Setúbal.

Meanwhile PJ police have revealed that the most commonly used techniques included in standard break-ins are forcing an entry via windows and doors, etc, scaling over walls and balconies, and using a fake key.

However, it was revealed new methods are being used, including situations in which home owners let their assailants in voluntarily, being tricked into opening their doors under a range of false pretences.


Edition: 1019

[EMM]

Doesn,t sound like there is a rampant crime wave going on in Carvoeiro does it !!

Puts the situation in persepctive.

[White Rabbit 2]

I have lived in Carvoeiro for over 7 years , in both a villa and various apartments on complexes , I have never had a burglary , handbag theft or assault. Yes i have heard a few stories but they have always related to visitors here , when you come on holiday ( if you live in London it should be secound nature , I know I left there to come here ) act as if you were at home looking after and locking up your house , valuables etc.
We moved here when our son was young and I am so glad as where we lived before there are now street gangs , girl gangs , higher crime rate through drugs etc. We lived it what was considered at one time a very nice area of Kent.
Look at the amount of people who stay in Carvoeiro per year, then add the crime rate , I doubt it would even make a 1/4 a percent . ( dont quote me on that not exact ! ).
Unfortunately crime is everywhere , just be vigilant , still the place I want to be.