Break ins around Formentera

I have recently purchased an apartment in the area not far from the Supermarket and am dismayed on the number of reports of break ins. Friends who are owners have everything removed from their apartment,including all their clothes! I am beginning to regret this purchase as I waiting for the call from another friend who checks on our apartment to say we have been done too. In the last week there has been more than 6 places done. Little damage is done on entry and it appears that there is a very clever lock smith involved. Shutters pose no problem as do door grills. What is going on,it's obviously an organised gang, or has someone obtained keys from the initial developer? Any insight or news of Police activity? I feel so sorry for those who have become a victim of this epidemic!

Hi

Could you tell me which apartments have been targeted? Or is it different blocks like Mar y Sol, Princess Elana, Brisas Del Mar 1 or 2 etc etc

Hi

Our friends who stay in Princess Elena got broken into while they were sleeping  that was around 31st Oct and quite a few attempted in the same building.

We were told that gypsy type people were in the area.

Nicola

 

 

Whilst we were there we also heard of a break in (block 2 Mar y Sol) at around the same time as the one in Princess Elena. This apartment didn't have grills and entry was through the patio doors.

When we bought in Block 1 Mar Y Sol  (about 4 and a half years ago) we were advised to change the locks on the front door, which we did. We were then broken into via the kitchen door before we had got round to fitting grills! (I had originally decided not to as I didn't want to stay in a ' prison' but quickly changed my mind!)

To my mind you can only do so much, the professionals will always find a way in if they think that it's worth their while.

Our friends property was in Jacarilla, and quite a few have been done. I think the couple who were done whilst sleeping our the people very close to us. The Police do not seem very active in trying to curb these activities. I have to add we have grills and additional security to our internal ones but I am wondering if there is an internal door shutter that you can install which can be rolled down before locking your door and locking the grill? From what I heard there from a friend there is no let up in the break ins.

As an addional safeguard, I have made up some simple metal struts which fit in the space between the shutter top track and the groove in the bottom strut of the shutter.  Whenever we leave, I fix these between the shutter and the window, roughly central to the opening.  Although the shutters are of only lightweight construction, the strut makes it virtually impossible to lift it without smashing the shutter completely (not easy because it would rather bend than break).  I would think a stout piece of wood could be used with a screw or nail driven through to engage in the slot in the bottom strut if you don't have any suitable metal.  It's not really suitable for use every day, but provided security pins are fitted (2 on patio doors) it should deter all but the most determined burgular.

M.

Had a recent update on the break ins, a gang of around 10 have been arrested,they were Russians and Latvians. much property and cash was recovered. hopefully the epidemic will be halted in the Formentera area. Thank you for that great tip for the shutters, we are over at Easter and will be doing that!

The police may have caught THAT gang, but beware, Paco is back. For those of you who don´t know who Paco is... he lived in Mar Y Sol for a time. During that time about 18 or so bikes went missing from the garages, there was a spate of breakins and it is believed he was selling drugs. He went away (euphemism for clink) for a while, but as I say he´s back and living in Avenida Comunidad Valenciana (the block at the end nearest the bars opposite Brisas), so vigilance is still important.

Irene

A wanted poster? One in the Liffey and Monty's, then maybe he will relocate himself! Only joking but haahaa why not!