BURGLARY

[pato]

This made me check my tilt and turn windows - even though they are protected by bars. Thankfully there is no way it would be possible to reach through from the outside to release the locking handle. This may offer some reassurance

I would imagine pato has it wrong. I have asked around and none of my old contacts know of any tilt & turn windows that can be moved from one plane to the other from outside.

When I get over come and see

[Michael Crane]

pato . . . . CHANGE THEM

[martin.cork]

What would be the approximate cost for an alarm system for a two bedroom villa consisting mainly of 2 entrance doors and 4 patio doors.
What would be the best option ? contacts on each door or sensors in each room.
Any recommendations of security companies who would carry out the works and also call when the alarm is activated.

[Globetrotter]

I will post something a bit controversial. In CVO the opportunities for theft are pretty high and it will never be stopped entirely. Club Atlanitco has a pretty low crime rate (close to zero I understand). This is due to the fact that the route in and out is closed, and in addition, they have CCTV. I think it would make sense for CC houses to band together and use one common security company. This would allow for an intergrated approach to security. In addition, I would suggest installing some CCTVs around the neighborhood. Lastly, clean up the graffiti, this attracts the wrong kind of people and detracts from the neighborhood.

[Trev]

Well said Globe Trotter as i was one of the victims of the break in which started this thread i would support your idea all the way.
I have heard from others that the police have started to target gangs in the country that they suspect to be behind the crimes of tourist robbery if it is true i hope they are succesfull.
The other thing i would like to suggest on here please check your holiday insurance very very carefully, i have sorted mine now but only after a lot of trouble, i will see how i stand but i may even mention the company and the way they word things, so others wont be misled as we were.

[pato]

I think I've got it right now, the tilt windows consist of two separate units in one frame both handles lock on the centre frame, i.e. one handle right one left, so if they're shut or open both handles are together Eh!....... so. If you leave one tilted open and don't lock the shut one the crook can get his hand in a turn the handle, Yes! Yes! I know I should lock them but it wouldn't be a problem if the handles were on the outside, inside, Eh! again,......... anyway I think you may get my meaning now, hopefully.

[steve]

My tilt/turn windows consist of a single unit with one handle which operates both mechanisms. The handle has to be moved through 180 degrees to tilt the window and the mechanism is then locked in that position. There is no room to reach in and get to the handle but in any event the window has to be shut again or the trip mechanism somehow overcome before the handle could be moved. The system looks pretty safe to me and seems to reflect what is generally fitted nowadays..

[Michael Crane]

My tilt/turn windows consist of a single unit with one handle which operates both mechanisms. The handle has to be moved through 180 degrees to tilt the window and the mechanism is then locked in that position. There is no room to reach in and get to the handle but in any event the window has to be shut again or the trip mechanism somehow overcome before the handle could be moved. The system looks pretty safe to me and seems to reflect what is generally fitted nowadays..

Which tells me that pato has tilt&turn windows designed by a burglar!

[pato]

My tilt/turn windows consist of a single unit with one handle which operates both mechanisms. The handle has to be moved through 180 degrees to tilt the window and the mechanism is then locked in that position. There is no room to reach in and get to the handle but in any event the window has to be shut again or the trip mechanism somehow overcome before the handle could be moved. The system looks pretty safe to me and seems to reflect what is generally fitted nowadays..

Which tells me that pato has tilt&turn windows designed by a burglar!

I knew it would happen eventually, at last! a witty post from Michael, I nearly smiled

[shanagarry]

I realise this topic is getting on a bit now - but have only just picked up on it. As long standing Carvoerians (if that's right) having suffered at the hands of the thieves we installed a monitored system with Prosecom in 2001 and from that day to this (touch wood) we have been incident free.

We have a property in VdM and have just returned to the UK having spent the last week there. I was delighted to see on the nights we were returning home GNR patrols driving slowly around the urbanisation and taking the time to look into prospective robbers lairs.

Having been the victim of a burglary in Sesmarias in the days we rented, I know how unsettling and frightening such an event can be - and it does spoil your holiday.

We owned a property in Quinta das Pias of modern design in the late 90s and rented it out. We found that while the windows were strong and robust, the locks were frequently snapped when clients would slam the door resulting in a broken catch. I lost count of the number of times I had to replace those latches and like others had to resort to the wooden pole solution. Because the glass was so efficient the builders (at the time) felt it was unnecessary to install shutters. We had one burglary there - while the clients were in the property - because the clients forgot to close their bedroom patio door, while they enjoyed a BBQ.

My handbook for client's use waxed lyrical about the need for vigilance when in and leaving the property. I was quite taken aback when some clients commented on the nature of my warning saying it was putting them off going there. Apart from the issue mentioned above (it was my father in law who was the victim and he believed he was 'bomb-proof') we never had a repeat occurrence.

We are in the process of having plans submitted to the Camara for the enlargement of our property in VdM ahead of moving there permanently during 2009. During the many discussions we have had with the architect - security was discussed at some length. Our property is a typical Jorge de Lagos building from 1984. Shortly after buying it in 2000, we replaced all of the wooden shutters because we, like most felt they offered little defence against a determined thief. In addition to metal grills and the shutters we are happy to say we have not had an incident. In fact I have received calls in the UK from Prosecom in the early hours of the morning when friends or family have activated the alarm and while its annoying it is reassuring to know they are doing the job I am paying for.

The new thinking now appears to be securing the perimeter and installing CCTV to a monitored station. We have been shown the style of fencing, types of doors and glass, security monitoring etc that will keep most intruders at bay without having to improvise with the wooden pole syndrome and turn the property into a fortress and are going to install it during the refurbishment process.

I realise that all of this is of little comfort to those poor unfortunate people who had to endure the fear and stress of the burglary in AdM and the apparent incompetence of the management company (an ever present threat - which is not for this post) but hopefully they can see that most of us (including Brian the owner) take the security and safety of our property and the people staying there very seriously. I hope they will come back soon and enjoy Carvoeiro for what it really is - heaven on earth.

[pickwick]

Can you tell me who fits CCTV and also provides monitoring of the cameras?

[suziebear]

Or, go to the Refugio and home one of their little doggies, you will have a friend for life, helping the refugio out and solving your security problem

[Michael Crane]

Or, go to the Refugio and home one of their little doggies, you will have a friend for life, helping the refugio out and solving your security problem

Off topic:
suziebear, does the Refugio neuter the dogs before housing them? In Fethiye, Turkey, there's a dog rescue group that take stray dogs off the streets, neuters them and then find homes for them. It has greatly reduced the once growing numbers of stray dogs roaming the streets after the Turks cruelly discard their lovable little puppies once they become proper dogs.

[suziebear]

Off topic too - most of them usually do yes, however, they sometimes ask for a donation when you get a doggy, as they are all obviously charities and are funded purely on donations.

[Michael Crane]

Still off-topic: If you see us over Christmas remind me to give you a few euros for the doggies. We can't take one home with us but we can help the charity with a small donation.