Break in

we've just experienced our first break in.  It was something we had thought might happen one day but........  They got in through the rejas and window.  Can anyone suggest how we can reduce the chance of this happening again. Alarms seem to me can be ignored. are video systems worth considering?

Also can I expect the police to be sympathetic to a Brit?

Any views gratefully received.

Oh crikey Flyboy,

That is not good news for you.

Is your place on a new development?

This often happens as people move in.

Don't know what the thieves are really looking for, maybe hoping you have no safe and have brought cash with you for jobs around your new casa.

Sorry to be thick, but what does "rejas" mean?

Maybe you should consider window bars?

I know English people think these are unsightly and HAVE to be there to stop the thieves, but in reality, these are part of the Spanish architecture.

Not only do they provide security obviously, but in the heat, you can sleep with the windows open safely.

I hope you recover quickly from this intrusion, it isn't nice is it?

Kind regards,

Dear "the Halls",

I am so, so very sorry for you both.

What can I say?

It happens, you were the victims, it leaves a very very nasty taste in the mouth eh?

Had you just moved in? As this seems to be the "norm".

Believe me, if you had just moved in, they won't be back.......................so rest easy from now on ok?

The target seems to be people that have "just" signed.

Only reason I can see, is that the burglars (that seems too good a name for them doesn't it?), sorry Justin, have to say it..............the bastards....... know that people moving in may have lots of cash to pay for things up front and find you "easy pickings".

The sad thing about it is that these "bastards" (sorry Justin, said it again...........) are NOT Spanish. Most often they are Eastern Europeans, sorry if I offend anyone, but check the statistics........

Don't blame the Spanish, they want us to buy in their country, we are good for thier economy and their childrens jobs/futures.

Anyway, enough spouting off, i am sorry for your experience, I hope to goodness that this was a one off, which I am sure it was. Don't let this taint your dream............................

Kind regards,

Thanks JeanSis and Fibby for your kind words.

Feeling a bit low right now, but hopefully it will pass.  Our insurance is with Mapfre and this is when we will find out how good they are.  An assessor was meant to call on the Thursday, then Friday and when he hadnt been by 4.30pm on the Friday,rang again to be told the assessors finish at 3pm. Told them we were heading back to the UK, so will have to ring them tomorrow to find out what happens now.

Thankfully we have a very helpful neighbour looking out for the property while we are in the UK,.

As to Securitas, the two apartments on the top floor were also unoccupied at the time, but we reckon as they had the alarm sign on the doors, they were not tampered with. 

Hi Guys

We have had loads of breakins in our urb in manilva, its new and they seam to go for the big flat screens. In our case a lot of its being done by the builders on the sight behind who can what the comings and goings all day.

We have the securitas alarm service, it was not cheap to have installed and the monthly fee is about 30 euros but in my eyes worth it. and they speak to you in english and the manual you get is also in english.

Regards

Toto99

Hi everyone

Have read the thread re breakins - so sad when it happens - taints the dream a little.

l have an Alarm with Direct Alarms and can set it even when l am in the house by blocking out zones - so l can sleep a little easier. Twice l have set it off by mistake and within a minute l get a phone call from an english speaking person asking if l am OK. l have to confirm by giving my pin number and then, and only then do they cancel the security  guard who is on his way.

The cost is about 22€ per month - and there are signs all around the house on every window and door. l hope that will keep the 'beggars' away.

If anyone has cause to make a report to the police it is possible to do this in English, and several other european languages, by ringing 902 102 112. You then go to the nearest National Police Station within the next 48 hours to agree a spanish version and sign it. l recently helped a very senior couple do this after a wallet was stolen and all went very smoothly. Especially so when we got to the police station we were ushered in ahead of quite a queue of other persons waiting to make reports. Did help make what was a fraught experience for the couple a little more easily bearable.

sorry for all those who have experienced break ins it does knock your confidence and trust.to date we have not experienced this and we are ground floor.fortunately when we signed for the apartment i had arranged for a guy to meet me and immediately installed rejas to the windows and scissor gates to the 3 patio doors which i believe have been a real detterent and also additional key  locking mechanisms to the patio  doors.we had a state of the art alarm system but it is not audible it just rings you on a designated number and when connected you can talk to whoever is in your property ,but not much good if you are in the uk.could of put a friends number in but it gets awkward if they are out or a false alarm so concentrated on mechanical detterents.one word of advice a number of the new apartments were robbed with no apparent forced entry,the strong belief and unofficially confirmed was some dishonest builders get the keys and sell them on to the professional thieves SO ENSURE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU DO ON TAKING ON A NEW APARTMENT OR HOUSE IS CHANGE THE BARRELS IN ALL ENTRY DOORS!!we have also found  it a good detterent to challenge anyone that may be within the complex(ours is fenced and gated)in a polite manner to ensure they have official business to be there.it is difficult to keep them out if they are determined but the harder you make it the less likley it is.good luck everyone