Burglaries

Los Alcázares/Los Narejos isn't having any more burglaries than any other area where properties are left empty. It's certainly isn't a hot-spot and the local police are keeping an eye on empty properties. If property owners install a monitored alarm system in their properties, they can see what's happening inside their house from their mobile and the fact that there is an alarm fitted, acts as a deterrent to would-be burglars. It's also a good idea to get a neighbour who lives close by, to keep an eye on the property and call them if there is anything suspicious going on.

I did ask if it is a big problem in Los Alcazares  area, but don't think it's any different to most holiday areas. I obviously have insured the property, but haven't been able to travel because of restrictions. Hopefully June/July will be eased,and will sort out someone to keep an eye on the property when empty.

While at our home in Spain we made the mistake of leaving some meat on the bone while the vultures were circling, low and behold on Tuesday night we were burgled, they took everything of value not just our money, jewellery and electrical items but also our passports, driving licences and keys, we have learnt a very expensive lesson and one that we will remember for the rest of our life.

A major positive that has come from this, is that even when we had no money or any possessions left, we deem ourselves as more lucky than winning the lottery, the amount of people in Spain where the house is situated who wanted to help us without any financial gain was overwhelming, our good friends in Spain rose to the challenge immediately and was at the house helping us within 15 minutes of the burglars jumping out of the window, giving us support and money to survive on until we got home.

Then our besties in England jumped into the ring, with not just financial assistance for security and new passports, but also dealing with everything in England on our behalf and helping our return, to all those in Spain and England, you all know who you are, we love you dearly, and will always be there for you as you were for us.

But the real hero who shone out of all the crap that happened, and stood out head and shoulders was my Wife Pippa, although we had lost everything she went into recovery mode which she does so well when at work, she showed more balls than any man I know, took total control of the situation by dealing with the Police, the banks, the Insurance Companies, the British Embassy in Spain to get some emergency passports, then onto the Police in England and the airport car park where we had no key for the car that was parked a 100 miles from home.

All the cards and bank details were immediately cancelled, all locks changed and more security installed, so apart from what was lost on the day we should be quite safe, but we have learnt an expensive lesson and hope that others learn by our mistake, this doesn’t just happen in Spain, it is now everywhere in the world, if you flaunt it be prepared to lose it, because where there are roses, sooner or later there will also be some weeds.

A substantial reward is being offered for either the return of the items or information that will lead to a conviction of any one of the three thieves, please check out the local Facebook posts for videos and stills of these low life in action.

Could say what I think of them but I doubt swearing allowed on here. And why do they take passports,  no use whatsoever to them. Hope they catch them, is there no CCTV nearby.

Passports have always been popular targets, must have some value to identity thieves. Los Alcázares has just held an examination for prospective Emergencia111 staff, police, and Guardia Civil. There were 200 applicants, so they should find recruits, who will be ready to be let loose some years hence.

Recently a Camposol resident posted CVTV footage of 3 people who burgled his house, worth a look to see if anybody recognises them. Passports have always been stolen, they are saleable items and counterfeiters can soon swap photos. Yes holiday villas are easy targets and can be easily identified, weeds on driveways, dust on balconies etc are all give always. I often wish people would pay a few euros a month to have their villas made tidy and looking lived in.

Unfortunately our place was immaculate, we have a Gardener and Key Holder in once a week, yet these filth still robbed us of all our personal possessions including my late Mothers wedding ring that was melted into a pendant, hopefully everyone can invest a relatively small amount to install sensor lights and cameras to catch these filth before someone get hurt, and I don't just mean their pride, the three pieces of human filth jumped out of my back bedroom window as I came in the kitchen with a happy stick to dance with them, on reflection maybe for the best or I definitely would have either been in hospital or prison for cracking some heads.

It was no slur on you but you must have seen many properties like I describe.

You can help the neighbourhood by removing all the advertising rubbish that is stuck under wipers, trapped in a fence or hanging out of a post box. You could not ask for a clearer sign that no on is there.