thieving b'stards around the ADM

[Gambrinus]

new to the Forum, and i am finding it very useful.

Advice please - we are looking to buy a property in VDM / ADM and have just returned to the UK after looking at various candidates. The level of break-in activity is a little disconcerting given the usual take on this issue by the Real Estate guys ( i.e. crime is so low it is pretty much non-existent). Clearly you have different experiences, and I want to make sure we buy into the area with eyes wide open.

We're looking at 2 properties in partiular - alarmed, gates, etc but nothing that would prevent anything that has been discussed previously on these message exchanges. The properties are both adjacent to open land - i.e. not built upon on one / two sides of the plots - is this a bigger issue in terms of security in the area ? Are we better looking to be 'surrounded' by developed plots ?

I think this kind of criteria is more secondary when it comes to prevention, unless you are thinking of buying in to a "closed" resort with resort security. Perimeter security and alarm systems should be your primary security concern, because in theory, the more difficult you make the access, the less attractive a house is to criminals.

Fence the plot, install good grade security windows and round it off with a proper alarm (ie. one that actually calls out when set off) and you should make it to a point where the effort/risk outweigh the benefits of a break-in.

[ochu2]

thanks for the response - would it be possible for someone 'in the know' regarding local Contractors to give me some recommendations on which Companies to use for fencing / windows / alarms ? I'm trying to piece together all costs on these properties. Is active alarm monitoring a reality in the Algarve ( i.e. someone like Prosegur / G4S etc ) and in CVO in particular ? Seems from other postings that the response rate is poor ?

[Gazza]

I heard that they swooped on Poco Partido, taking away several suspects and recovered many electrical items and other goods in the process. Hopefully they can tie these back to incidents although it won't prove they were at the scene but fencing is an offence so with luck they can nail 'em for something.

G

[SJ & RE]

thought this place was a restuarant

[Gazza]

It is but there is a also a council owned estate on the corner of the junction befoe Intermarché.

[martin.cork]

Great to hear of the arrests at Poco Partido and Lagoa, well done the GNR, keep up the good work.
Antonio (A Gale) is the restaurant in poca poartido but there is also approx 30 houses, local bar,playground in the area.
My view is that most of these stolen goods are sold in the local markets, maybe the GNR should police these
and ask where the goods came from. What happens with the goods that were recovered, Do the GNR make contact with the houseowners who have been burgarled ?
I am out again next week and will be looking out for any suspicous activity in the ADM Area.
I would love to give the thieves my 3 wood *** they left behind the last time they burgarled the house.

[Helen]

At the moment there are official looking notices being put up on walls, there's one on the winery at Caramujeira & one at the bank in Porches. They're advising that thieves are operating in the area that leave discreet signs on your premises advising of your movements. An arrow pointing upwards means that the house is easy to burgle in the morning, an arrow pointing to the right means in the afternoon & an arrow downwards means at night. A number 7 means the house is empty in July, a number 8 is August. A sign that looks like a London underground sign means that people are away but it's more difficult. A strange sign that looks like a rectangle with a letter T lying sidewards on the right hand side of the rectangle means old people are alone all day &, to me the most worrying one, two arches side by side means children alone in the morning & 2 upside down arches side by side means children alone in the afternoon. They're advising that you check your walls, gates etc to make sure that you have nothing drawn on them and to remove it straight away if you do.

[ceh]

This useful information is very worrying

[SJ & RE]

These and others are well known signs as used in the gypsy and thieving community.
Many of you Brits would have been given such a list a good few years ago if you were in a Neighbourghood Watch area or had asked your local police constable for.
A number of open meetings, trailor location venues etc had been placed in local communities in the UK,especially in hot spots, informing you of dangers, what to look for and how to combat crime.

[Michael Crane]

....They're advising that you check your walls, gates etc to make sure that you have nothing drawn on them and to remove it straight away if you do.

I'll ask again seeing as my previous post seems to have disappeared. Is there a sign for don't bother, it's not worth it?

[Bruce Wallis]

....They're advising that you check your walls, gates etc to make sure that you have nothing drawn on them and to remove it straight away if you do.

I'll ask again seeing as my previous post seems to have disappeared. Is there a sign for don't bother, it's not worth it?

Yes its a sign that says "Casa Crane"

[Michael Crane]

[Bife Anna]

The thieving b'stards are still around- sorry to bring the subject up but thought better to make people aware.

At ADM on Wednesday night 30/09/09. The lock on the front door was picked ( we had not double locked it from the inside) .They came in between 2am and dawn. I actually heard noises and light flashing below the bedroom door but was not sure at the time what was happening as there were 5 other adults and 2 babies staying there also. I think they only came into the main living room. Cash from wallets and I Pods were taken from there. Another villa at ADM also was broken into/robbed the same night the Police said the next day.

We have been taking extra precautions during the days against theft as there has been a few other thefts at the villa over the years whilst people have been present during the day.A window open and a wallet going, or they have entered through a window, helped themselves when only metres away someone is sat reading just out side patio doors. Precautions this time have included keeping shutters closed on the bedroom doors all day and night and locking internal doors on the bathrooms and kitchen even when we were present in the villa. We just never thought they would break in at night when we were all there...

Am gutted - Carvoeiro is my favourite place in the world- been visiting since 94 on and off for holidays and working for Summers.

Bife Anna

[beekeeper]

[quote="Bife Anna"] The thieving b'stards are still around- sorry to bring the subject up but thought better to make people aware.

At ADM on Wednesday night 30/09/09. The lock on the front door was picked ( we had not double locked it from the inside) .They came in between 2am and dawn. I actually heard noises and light flashing below the bedroom door but was not sure at the time what was happening as there were 5 other adults and 2 babies staying there also. I think they only came into the main living room. Cash from wallets and I Pods were taken from there. Another villa at ADM also was broken into/robbed the same night the Police said the next day.

We have been taking extra precautions during the days against theft as there has been a few other thefts at the villa over the years whilst people have been present during the day.A window open and a wallet going, or they have entered through a window, helped themselves when only metres away someone is sat reading just out side patio doors. Precautions this time have included keeping shutters closed on the bedroom doors all day and night and locking internal doors on the bathrooms and kitchen even when we were present in the villa. We just never thought they would break in at night when we were all there...

Am gutted - Carvoeiro is my favourite place in the world- been visiting since 94 on and off for holidays and working for Summers.

Bife Anna[/quote]


Sorry to hear of your problem and would recommend fitting a bolt top and bottom of your front door and keep it bolted at all times.Everyone must put their cash in the safe at night or keep with you under the pillow.
What number adm are you ?

[Sharen Crane]

What number adm are you ?

I am not sure anyone should post their holiday address for all to see!