28 Apr 2008 8:21 AM:
I live in a small village in the costa blanca. There is no epidemic here but crime is definitely rising and every month more and more people are being turned over. Its worse in the campo because we only have one policeman covering a big area and many many homes are empty during the day, but even the big urbanicazion is being hit.
Most of the building sites are now empty and a large number of illegal workers (NOT JUST EASTERN EUROPEANS but ecuadorians, peruvians) are now out of work. Some, not all, may turn to crime.
And because these people build houses, they are handy with heavy tools. Grilles dont help. Tie grille to car. Drive car away. Grille comes off. Takes 20 seconds.
Alarms don't help. A few weeks ago a neighbour returned home to find two people leaving his hose with goods in tow, and they chased him down the road with the axe they used to get in the gate!!!!! His alarm didn't help him
British people are popular target because to most they have money (more than them). Just look for a big white satellite dish in the garden, and no car on the drive.
As i say, not an epidemic. It's a handful of unlucky people being hit as these people pass through. But if you live in the campo don't look like you're a tourist, get rid of that stupid satellite dish, get some decent dogs, always lock your gate even when your in, put a Spanish flag on your roof and leave an old car on the drive. Fit in and you won't be a target. Stand out and you will
Thread:
crime in costa blanca
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