Another Burglary

[DVBRO]

Sitting having Dinner this evening, our Dog started to Bark in the Hall looking upstairs. I immediately grabbed a Baseball Bat and went in to the Bedroom to find that some Bastard had climbed on to our Balcony, forced the Patio Door open and taken my Wife's Jewellery Box.
This is the second time in three years this has happened, the last time when we lived in another Villa in Oasis Parque, Portimao, she was in the Shower in the Morning and the same thing happened.
We live on the edge of ADM, I did a drive round, but of course could see nothing. I thought we lived in Fort Knox, with an Alarm System, Security Lighting and Iron Railings, however, for those of us lucky to reside here, please be aware. Keep everything locked up including cars in the driveway. Fortunately, the Box only contained some rubbish Cheap stuff, but it has left another nasty feeling and really P---d us off. No I have not advised the Police as last time I felt more like a Culprit than Victim!

[Matryx]

I'm really sorry to hear your bad news, but please register the incident with the GNR, as it has to be logged as a statistic, and when we finally get our act together and confront the authorities over this dire situation, then we're going to need all the back info we can find.

[James Faro]

I am also very sorry to read this.The utter infringement when somebody entering your property and stealing must be infuriating. It is a shame that thief did not get a few licks of your baseball bat - he'd soon think twice again before thieving again.

[alf1956]

sorry to hear about your burglary dvbro,we had a similar thing a few weeks ago around late november/early december but luckily nobody was in&a soon as they got into the villa the alarm beam picked them up&went off&they scappered rapido as it makes a hell of a noise&it was attended by the alarm company within around5/10 mins.it seems to happening more&more often.

[Polli62]

Gosh DVBRO that must have been very traumatic, being in the house when it happenned. The culprits need to be hung drawn & quartered. If you can't feel safe in your own place its very dire. Sad as it may seem I always have a personal attack alarm on my person, even when in the villa whether it be in the daytime or in bed at night, just as a back up to the alarm (how sad is that to make you feel safe)

[Matryx]

The last two reported burglaries have occurred whilst the owners have occupied the house, which is a disturbing development. There doesn't seem to be much fear of being caught, so until something changes with regards to how the GNR deal with this problem, or we do something, then the situation will not change.

[Steen Jakobsen]

Topic moved from General; Please use this "Property owners forum / Portugal living." forum in order to keep the structure and enhance usability.

[James Faro]

I wonder if location is a deciding factor in the thieves stealing? More rural locations would be prime targets for non-visibility whereas in built-up areas neighbours tend to look out for each other,would, I assume be more of a deterrent. No matter what rural l Villas I have stayed in, I have been told that the nearby villas have suffered break-ins and this tends to be in the the more rural areas.

[Farol]

DVBRO I'd be interested to know what locks you had on the patio doors and how they were forced. It might help others to avoid a similar break in.

[pato]

In my house in the UK I have a prowler alarm, it consists of small detectors fitted to the walls and an alarm pad in the house, if anyone walks past the detector a small alarm sounds and the area is identified by an illuminated panel, this gives warning of anyone prowling around and you could if you were concerned activate your house alarm and scare them off or ring your alarm company saying there was a prowler on your land or alternately, load your gun and shoot the bastards. I feel the security companies in the Algarve are very inferior technically to their UK conterparts......... Any more info PM me.

[Matryx]

In my house in the UK I have a prowler alarm, it consists of small detectors fitted to the walls and an alarm pad in the house, if anyone walks past the detector a small alarm sounds and the area is identified by an illuminated panel, this gives warning of anyone prowling around and you could if you were concerned activate your house alarm and scare them off or ring your alarm company saying there was a prowler on your land or alternately, load your gun and shoot the bastards. I feel the security companies in the Algarve are very inferior technically to their UK conterparts......... Any more info PM me.

I agree with your alternative strategy Pato, and shooting the bastards.

[frank]

Hi all,

I'm sorry to hear of your burglary DVBRO, it's a very unsettling experience.

I appreciate you were less than happy with your previous dealings with the GNR but would urge you to reconsider your decision not to report this crime.

Burglary where the premises are occupied is far more serious than a simple housebreaking and without your report as far as the athorities are concerned, it didn't happen.

Regards,

Frank

[DVBRO]

Many thanks for all your comments and support.
The Locks on the Patio Doors were the original ones, as we rent this place. These have now been replaced with locking ones and we will have extra Alarm magnetic switches put on. They gained entry by climbing on to our Balcony, which I thought was not possible as one needs to be Spider Man. However I can only conclude that they must have had a Ladder. The Incident now has been reported. I am not going to throw any more money at Security, just increase my contents Insurance. Meanwhile the Dog is being given major treats for her vigilance.

[Michael Crane]

..... Meanwhile the Dog is being given major treats for her vigilance.

It might be better to keep her hungry and mean just in case they return.

I've rented on ADM and I was always on alert for anything or anyone suspicious. It didn't help when passers-by, too lazy to walk round, walked through the garden and down the drive-way to cut off the corner.

[Matryx]

Our place is in ADM, and we have decent gates at the front, and a Securatis alarm system with cameras, which seems ok. However easy access can be gained to our garden via the grounds of neighbouring villas, so I was thinking of erecting a decent fence around the perimeter, but would appreciate any thoughts or comments that anyone would be willing to make?