BEWARE ARRIVING AT ALICANTE AIRPORT

I just wanted to let people know about what happened to a very good friend of mine about two weeks ago arriving at Alicante airport. Having just picked up their hire car and trying to negiotiate their way to the motorway a car overtook them flagging them down. They stopped and a man jumped out of the other car and opened the passenger door of my friends car with a map and was trying to ask for directions as though they were lost. A woman also got out and was talking to them. My friends didnt understand what they were saying but they suddenley realised that underneath the map they were trying to steal my friend handbag which had everything in. It was only because they put the car into gear and tried to pull away that other cars started to stop and the thieves ran away with nothing. I hope that nobody else has had this happen but we have been told that it is quite common so beware!

That is a useful piece of info.  Likewise, last year I posted a bit about thieves at SanJavier.  They drive around the car park and leap out and steal your handbags etc whilst you are loading your cases into the car.  I felt so sorry for an elderly British couple who had this happen to them within a nanosecond of them lifting their cases into the car.  I know we all hook our bags on the back of the trolleys when leaving the airport but these crooks are on the lookout for this.  The couple lost all their cash and passports and just looked totally bewildered.

Thanks for that Tracy.  I must admit I always lock the car doors like I do at home and only wind the window down so far if need be. 

I always think of your thread Arlene when I am at the airport.  Last time I was at Alicante I was on my own and all I wanted to do is to get my suitcase in the boot of the car as soon as I could!! 

unfortunately due to the recession thieves are taking more and more  chances.just be careful and never ever leave anything on show in a car when you leave it beacuse you will come back to a smashed window and loss of belongings.thieves tend to target holidaymakers when they first arrive.so my advice is only take a bare minimum of cash and use your cash card to withdraw.the exchange rate is usually better than anywhere else anyway..

There are a lot of incidents like this. Moral is just don't stop unless its police flagging you down. When asked for directions just ignore.. Its a shame but thats what the world has come to...

When you rent a car remove all stickers, often they guess that visitors keep vuluables in cars.

As far as pickpocketers are concerned, you have them anywhere so also here in spain. You get them in Puerto de M, any shopping centre including Camposol, not to mention the markets...

Also there are a spade of burglaries on Camposol at the moment, mainly Spanish/North African oppertunitists, just breaking the rejas like they are a piece of paper. Often just after cash/jewelery/lcd tv/laptops etc  Unuccupied homes seems to be left alone..no cash to grab..

Had my camera & wallet stolenfrom villa  whilst staying in PW Mar Menor. So much for the security patrols.....