Gone Quiet on crime news?

[Ashley]

Since the many 'Death of a Dream' articles at the beginning of the summer and the June headlines in Costa Blanca news about the dangerous gang based in Torrevieja being caught have things quietened down now?
Although did read a month ago that Alicante was crime city.
What is the current situation regarding crime in the area?

[Doc]

I've just returned from 10 days in Los Dolses (near La Zenia) without so much as a sniff of anything going on. Remember that the troubles you hear about only affect a small percentage of the population. Enjoy!

Chris.

[iain crosbie]

agreed

~Yes indeed
I went over in May 2005 to inspect our apartment and stayed in the Plaza at Villamartin.
Excellent time and not a sniff despite being warned about the crime in the plaza

be careful as you are at home and things usually sort themselves out.

one thing though if it doesn't feel right then it probably isn't.
trust your instincts

[jacpops]

Sorry to put a fly in the ointment. We have just spent a great week in our apartment on La Cinuelica up from Punta Prima island. We have never had any problems since we have been visiting the area over the last 2 years but there were breakins in some of the town houses on our release and some of the other releases. The problem seems to be that if there are no street lights it makes it easy for the scumbags to break in. Fortunately for us we have globe lighting round the pool area and one on our wall so it is lighter, also we have residents near us. Its about time someone at the local council or whoever sorted the situation out as all the lights are in place but not lit.

[Doc]

Hi Jacpops.

It definitely seems to be the newly completed urbs that are targeted. If your urb has been 'handed over' by the builder then you can make a complaint to the Town Hall about the street lights not working. If not, it's down to the builder. Have you formed a community yet? Perhaps getting your agent(s) to put pressure on the builder may work if the urb hasn't yet been handed over.

Chris.

[Ashley]

Quiet on crime.

Advice please on what order things happen. If the builder is not the one fitting security etc. can handover be delayed until grilles etc. are in place.
We get white goods with ours but understand they will be gone if no chance to get organized first. Is it usually dearer to let the builder do all security? Would like to get quotes as we do in UK as money not that plentifull. What state are the places left in? Are they cleaned out and if not how did you all manage when staying in B&B or similar.
Must be a nightmare. Be very interested in all your handing over stories,
Thanks folks.

[Doc]

Hi Ashley.

It's a lot cheaper to do the security yourself.

First thing to do is change the locks. Immediately. You have no idea how many keys there are to the lock in your door, or who has them.

Second thing to do is to get an alarm fitted. Go for a monitored system such as CRAC24, Prosegur, etc.

Third thing to do is to get grilles fitted. These will have to be made to order and will take at least 10 to 14 days.

Personally I changed the lock myself - took the barrel out, set the wife on guard duty, went to the local fereteria, bought a new one, went home and fitted it.

Before I took possession of the property I arranged with CRAC24 that they would arrive the day after completion and install the alarm, which they did. BTW, you don't need to have a landline to have a monitored alarm - they can work via a radio signal.

Also before I took possession of the property I arranged for a grille fitting company to come and measure up for the grilles. These were then ready to go on the windows and doors a week after completion.

As mine is a holiday home I wanted as much security as possible, as I am not there all the time. Once I had changed the locks and had the alarm fitted I started to move in large furniture and white goods. I didn't put any small electricals or valuables in until the security was complete with grilles.

If you're buying on a newly completed Urb be especially careful as these tend to be targetted (especially because there are spare keys knocking about). Do NOT keep cash, documents, jewellery, or valuables in your property unless you are happy with the security arrangements.

Don't want to be alarmist, but the greater your security, the greater your peace of mind, and the more you will be able to enjoy yourself.

Buena suerte,

Chris.

[grange]

The simple answer is to be careful and do not let all the scaremongers frighten you with all the sales of grilles, alarms whatever.

I was warned about all this 4 years ago when we moved here. We just did all the simple things we did in the UK many years ago. Just used commonsense and made sure door and windows were locked etc.

If you listen to all the sales pitch and the 10% guys you would make your house a fortress and then more interesting to the potential thieves beacuse they think you have something to take.
Dont forget they usually do more damage getting in than what they take.

Just think and take the usual precautions. We have not seen any serious crime and for the last 2 years no crime whatsoever in the whole of our area in Los Altos.

[RickT]

I agree with virtually everything that Doc says and, through experience, disagree with most of what Grange says. We were turned over three times in our first six months, the last time was after we had grilles and a monitored alarm fitted which they ripped off of the wall. (Yes it meant they only had about three minutes but that was quite enough for them to wreak havoc and get away with lots of our goodies.)
Take every security precaution that you can!
Incidentally, as a general rule they only strike when the property is occupied but the residents are out, as they want the cash, credit cards, jewelery and any other small valuables like CDs DVDs etc. They aren't interested in pinching fridges etc from empty houses.
ps they've moved on from our urb now and we still love it and Torre.

[Doc]

I've got to take issue with you I'm afraid, Grange.

On new Urbs this is a problem. The more you can make your own property look more difficult to target than someone else's, the less likely you are to have a problem.

As the majority of properties in the area have grilles and alarms it's unlikely that the thieves will think that you have more to steal than the next person as a result.

Take the sensible option, research grille and alarm companies to get the best product and price, and know that you have done all you can to protect your investment and your belongings.

Chris.

[Laurie Anderson]

It amazes me why and how some of you people can stand living that way. Constantly worrying about grilles and alarms and half afraid to go out at night for fear of returning to a burgled house.

I have lived here in Spain for over 4 years, my house has no alarm, the upstairs windows have no grilles, I don't think I have ever locked the front gate, I often go out and leave windows open, I do have a consitina type grille on the front door but I only ever use it when I go away for a week or so, I always sleep with my bedroom window open, I sit upstairs now typing this with front door open. There are 20 houses in my Calle, my neighbour who bought her house when it new 18 years ago and still lives in it, tells me she can only ever remember 1 break in and that was because the chap renting it was dealing in something illegal and someone obviously was looking for drugs.

I am not totally stupid or naive but live my life without fear. I came to live here to get away from worry and stress, not make it even worse.

Best advice is stay away from new builds, buy a resale on a decent urbanisation.

[bispen]

So, where do you live Laurie?

[grange]

crime

I agree Laurie whats the point of coming here and almost boarding yourelf up. Do a little research talk to your neighbours and find a decent area to live. Relax, get on with your life and let everyone else talk about crime. Some people thrive on it out here.

[Doc]

It amazes me why and how some of you people can stand living that way. Constantly worrying about grilles and alarms and half afraid to go out at night for fear of returning to a burgled house.

Best advice is stay away from new builds, buy a resale on a decent urbanisation.

Hi Laurie.

I don't worry at all about grilles or alarms. I have both, and I use both. I'm not at all afraid to go out at night, nor any other time of day, and I have no fear of returning to a burgled house.

I did buy a resale on a decent urbanisation that has had no trouble of any kind.

However, the reason I don't worry is because I have adequate security. The money I spent bought me peace of mind.

My home in the UK also has a monitored alarm, window locks, and bars on the back door. Again, peace of mind. I don't worry about crime because I have taken precautions to avoid becoming a victim. I think that's money well spent.

I'm glad that you don't feel the need to do the same, and that you haven't suffered any unpleasant consequences.

Each to his own, I guess.

Cheers,

Chris.