Watch Out - Thief About!!

The house next door to me is up for sale - but it is often let to friends and relatives of people within this community.

This morning a thief, with a long pole with a hook on the end of it, was found by relatives who were in the process of packing up to go home! The grille door was locked, but the main door was open - making it easy for someone to stick a pole in and steal a handbag or anything which would fit though the grille bars.

When challenged the man (who was standing on their porch - which is up 8 steps) said that he was looking for his missing cat!!! He was assured that it was not in the house!! Not all the visitors are as "canny" as the residents.

How many people go around looking for their missing cat carrying a pole with a hook on the end? LOL It's amazing how brazen they are!!!

Guapa wrote:

Sandra wrote:The house next door to me is up for sale - but it is often let to friends and relatives of people within this community.

This morning a thief, with a long pole with a hook on the end of it, was found by relatives who were in the process of packing up to go home! The grille door was locked, but the main door was open - making it easy for someone to stick a pole in and steal a handbag or anything which would fit though the grille bars.

When challenged the man (who was standing on their porch - which is up 8 steps) said that he was looking for his missing cat!!! He was assured that it was not in the house!! The man was probably Moroccan. Not all the visitors are as "canny" as the residents.

Hope the owners who let out 'often' have an energy licence in place, huge fines if they haven't & are found out!

To be honest, I've no idea! They are absentee landlords; Russian; can't speak a word of any language except Russian - and are in Russia at the moment! Communication on this community can be fun at times !!!!

Ouch!

I must admit that up to a few years back I did let my property out - but even though it was through letting agents so much damage was done that the renewals far outweighed the income. Now our home is solely for us!!:D

These thieves are getting more audacious - but not sure if it is fully down to the economic climate. Just because you are poor you don't have to steal!

It would be interesting to know how other communities deal with the circulation of news (thieves etc) to residents and visitors. I feel that it is a bit hit and miss here - much of it down language difficulties I am sure!

[quote="Guapa"]We don't know people who rent their properties though I know they ARE liable except under certain circumstances.
See this http://www.spain-holiday.com/rentalbuzz ... i-need-one. It says the fines are up to 6000€!

I put an article on here about this a few months back in May. The rentals in question are longish rentals, over four months I think but see this link : interesting-articles-about-spain-f35/the-energy-performance-certificate-epc-in-spain-t757.html

Jan.

I don't rent out , what is an energy license???

Dot wrote:I don't rent out , what is an energy license???

Hello Dot, If you don't rent out or are not selling or thinking of selling your property, then it won't affect you but if you want to read what it's all about, you can see details on the link Guapa kindly posted earlier here : http://www.spain-holiday.com/rentalbuzz/the-energy-performance-certificate-what-is-it-do-i-need-one
Jan.

Thank you very much for the advice, I commonly leave the front or rear door open with the grill closed and locked, but only when at home of course, thinking all is relatively secure.

Obviously not, so the information is well received.

I am currently working in Singapore and it is such a pleasure, to walk the streets and live without much cause for concerns on personal safety and security.
Believe me in that they have nothing by way of even petty crime here, and if so, extremely rarely.
Singapore has corporal and capital punishment of course. I wonder if that is a factor.
When you hear the tales of convicted prisoners reaction when sentenced and in facing 'judicial caning', extremely sobering, and deterrent.
We seem to cherish and encourage them somewhat......

Johnga.

I have just moved this topic into a new forum called "Safety and security information, hints and tips" and I will be moving some other relevant topics into the new section too soon.

It's not that we have many problems, like this, living in this area ( it's definitely safer than the UK and some other countries) but any instances of petty crime needs to be communicated to help us all know how to be as safe as possible.

This new forum can also be used too for any other help. I will also be transferring things like like what to carry in the car when driving and other similar information, which will be extra helpful to those newbies to the area as well.

Having the new forum section will save these important details being lost in other parts of the forum and can be a 'one-stop shop' for anyone to find out how to stay safe & secure while here.

Jan.