Another Burglary

[sunman]

hi Matryx

these days I think having a decent fence around one's perimeter is pretty much a no brainer, you're only as secure as your weakest link I think

[pato]

Unless of course you have it electrified

[martin.cork]

Sorry to hear of your burgalry DVRO, one will soon get over the loss of goods but its
the feeling of insecurity that takes longer to get over. Only thing is if he only got junk he probably will not come back.
We have also been a victim of several break-ins over the years (see previous threads) and eventually in 2009 installed an alarm system and thankfully to date have had no break ins.
As you were in the villa and the bedrooms are upstairs you had the alarm off at the time.
May I recommend a simple solution- Put a small pole (cut a brush handle) into the area between the closed door/Window and the wall.
This prevents the thief from opening the door/window. The only way is to break the glass to remove this pole which hopesfully you will hear.
Also try some CCTV cameras, if you wish you could also install dummy cameras which deters the thieves.They do not like their picture taken.
If its any consolation these bastards are oportunist thieves and will get caught.
I also think the GNR know who are carrying out these burgalries
and should constantly search them and also where they live.
Poco Partido is not too far to travel.
Local Businesses should also put pressure on the GNR or it will only the GNR they will have in their businesses and I am sure
they will not be too much profit then.
Carvoeiro needs another revolution. Roll on the Summer.

[Matryx]

hi Matryx

these days I think having a decent fence around one's perimeter is pretty much a no brainer, you're only as secure as your weakest link I think

I'm probably going to come over for a few days in a couple of weeks, so I'll get a couple of quotes and see how we go. I might take up Pato's idea and electrfy the thing......but I won't tell the wife

[Polli62]

I recently have been been informed of another deterrant which could work by having a webcam on your property,(looking into it) streamed to your computer(thats assuming you have an internet connection)so you can check whats going on where-ever you may be, being UK or elsewhere.I am not IT minded so don't know the ins and outs of it. End of day you can have every security thing possible on your property but if the low lifes want to get in they will.

[Bristle Si]

All this talk of this type of security, that type of security - seems to be getting desperate in CVO. Not exactly comforting for those of us coming back in the Summer for our regular visit (as tourists, no property owned....unfortunately....or maybe fortunately reading all of this thread).

I hope potential CVO newbies aren't put off...but i tell you what, if i was a newbie either looking for a holiday destination to visit or a potential buyer of property in CVO, i would definitely be put off!

[EMM]

I could not agree with you more Bri Si.
Yes there is a crime issue in Portugal but it is not even close to being that of the UK.
There do seem to be pockets at higher risk and this has been discussed at great length.
Why should anyone be surprised if poorly secured holiday properties left empty for months get broken into which are probably the majority of the cases.
We could not even leave our garden shed unlocked for a couple of hours in the UK before the local tea leaves made a visit.

We need FACTS not opinion mine or anyone elses as to the true extent of the problem, as I have reported before the ONLY OFFICIAL statistics I have seen reported state a FALL in the number of reported crimes in summer 2010 compared to 2009.

[Michael Crane]

...but i tell you what, if i was a newbie either looking for a holiday destination to visit or a potential buyer of property in CVO, i would definitely be put off!

Why, do you know of somewhere safer? I am a great fan of reverse statistics, so instead of seeing break-ins in a 100 properties (e.g) I see no break-ins in 1000s of properties. It's all about perspective. More people are afraid of the idea of crime than ever will fall victim to it. Just remain vigilant and on your guard.

[bruce]

I agree with Bristol Si, even though we have been coming to Cvo for 15 years it does concern me and I guess it would worry potential renters/buyers.
We have a cottage in Cumbria and it does not have any sophisticated security systems, we have never felt the need for them.

[DVBRO]

I posted the Original information on this Forum to basically advise people who live here permanently to be more vigilant than normal. Through discussions with my friends here, it appears that there are far more opportunists who will gain entry into your Villa than in perhaps other places where there are more professional Burglars.
If the Tourists, who rent Villas or those owners who come for a short stay leave any doors or windows open, there is a strong possibility that valuables will be taken.
Yes one can, like us, have a secure perimeter, an elaborate Alarm System, Safes, a Dog etc. but if these Devils see the possibility of access, they will be in. As we all know, it only takes a few seconds.
In my opinion, forums are a good tool to keep one informed of certain aspects and to offer advice to others, not to compare different Countries and problems they have.
I have lived in other Countries and appreciate Portugal and its people, but have never heard or experienced so much of this type of Crime.

[EMM]

Just how many of those property owners who post and paint a unfair and unrealistic picture of Carvoeiro and the Algarve will point out the high level of risks ( as they view them ) to prospective renters !!

[DVBRO]

Just how many of those property owners who post and paint a unfair and unrealistic picture of Carvoeiro and the Algarve will point out the high level of risks ( as they view them ) to prospective renters !!

One sincerely hopes that an honest opinion is posted on any subject to any person.

[Graham]

11 years in a leafy Surrey village - nearly always someone at home - fully alarmed house - burgled twice (including having my patio stolen last time!).
10 years in Carvoeiro - villa only occupied about 14 weeks of the year - never burgled and neither have any of my neigbours.

Maybe puts it in perspective?

[EMM]

Well said graham, you can join me in the " head in the sand club "

[Michael Crane]

....Maybe puts it in perspective?

It does. As a matter of interest, did you postcode your patio [furniture?]? All it takes is a sharp nail or similar and etching it underneath each chair and table, then, if the police manage to recover your goods they can return them to you, and they'll will have a much better chance of prosecuting the thief.

As a general question, how many of you take such steps to safeguard your property? Items that cannot be postmarked by etching or a special pen can be photographed and kept somewhere safe.

I think I'll start one of my famous polls.