Formentera del Segura

[Nige]

Hi, just discovered this forum, and what a help it's been, thankyou.

I get my keys in 2 weeks for my house in Formentera,on the Princesa Elena development, and can't wait.

A couple of things. Anyone else here bought there?
What can you people recommend in the area, bars, restaurants etc?

And lastly I have read on this forum about the risk of burglaries. Is that mainly in Torrevieja, or does it effect areas such as this, which are a short drive away. There is a lot of mention of security grilles etc. My place is a first floor with only the door accesible to anyone without ladders so i am not too worried about them, but is it likely that the door will be put in, and if so can i and should I get grilles for the door?

Cheers.

[Doc]

Hi Nige.

There is a risk of burglary in and Torrevieja as there is everywhere these days. The trick is to make your property less appealing to burglars than another one nearby!

As it is a new build I would strongly recommend changing the locks before you move in / leave anything in the property. This is a fairly simple DIY job - all you need to do is to take the barrel out of the lock and go to the nearest fereteria (leaving someone to watch over your unlocked door of course). Show them the barrel and ask for a new one. The reason for this is that all and sundry have had access to your keys (builders, plumbers, plasterers, decorators etc) and it's more comforting to know that YOU have ALL the keys to YOUR property.

As for grilles, I would make sure all windows and doors have grilles so that, as I said, your property is less attractive to any ne'er-do-wells. You may also wish to consider an alarm system such as CRAC24 or Prosegur for total peace of mind.

Most burglaries appear to be concentrated on newly completed urbs / buildings, so by taking a few sensible precautions you can avoid a lot of bother.

I don't want to be alarmist, but better safe than sorry.

Chris.

PS - Grilles will need to be made to order so you may want to start thinking about this now.

[nardy]

Hi sounds like great advice

The things looked for in robberies are definatly passports etc, so keep these in a safe place. I think a safe is a good bet - but i know of people who have been burgled and the robbers just prised up the safe and took it with them!!

We have grills on all doors and windows and bolts through the windows too so they cannot be lifted out. - this has seen us through OK - a few of our neighbours have been broken into.

I would recommend the grills on all doors and windows as a minimum.

cheers

[Nige]

Thanks for that. As I have said all my windows are on the first floor (1st floor apartment) and the building is designed in such a way that I don't think the grills will work too well on them so i will risk not doing the windows I think ( could be the daftest thing I've done, or not done!!).
The door I will see about getting done. Some numbers and names of reliable and reasonable fitters would be useful if someone can oblige.

Also details of alarm companies would be great as well.

And it goes without reason that i'll be getting the lock changed, can't trust no bugger.