Beware Passport Thieves In Benidorm (1 Viewer)

Feb 26, 2013
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A couple currently staying on our camperstop had their motorhome broken into on Sunday and their passports were stolen. They went to Benidorm market on Sunday morning and parked up in a large car park just around the corner from the market. Their alarm was set and there were lots of people about. After visiting the market they got back to find their door lock damaged and a window had been forced. The window blind was destroyed where someone had climbed in and they lost several items including their passports. Apparently when they target you it is believed someone follows you and reports back to an accomplice when you are far enough away not to hear the alarm and then they break in with out any apparent concern that it's broad daylight. The poor couple have to drive to Alicante today to the British Embassy.
We just need to be aware when parking up in Spain in daylight and going off somewhere that we may be being targeted. I personally have some pretty good hiding places as well as a strong safe that would slow them down. Although it isn't necessarily the best idea to keep all your valuables in the safe!!
 
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Coolbeanz
Feb 26, 2013
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It's going to be even hotter next week so bring your factor 30 (y)
Might bump into you at some point, where are you going to be staying?

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ukbill

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when do you leave beni ?

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scotjimland

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A useful heads up, but surely could apply to anywhere, UK included,

yes, but some places are a much higher risk than others, the Spanish Costas are well known for thefts from tourists and break-ins to motorhomes.
for example.. where you were in Scotland recently, I'd park and and never worry... but wouldn't do so on the Med coast.

We lost a bike while standing beside it outside a Lidl in Spain !! .. thief grabbed it and cycled off.. in broad daylight.. barstewards :mad:

Even when shopping at a large supermarket we don't leave the van unattended.. always one of us stay with it..
 
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Coolbeanz
Feb 26, 2013
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We are staying at the camperpark Costa Blanca near Alfaz del Pi, will be here until 14th May and then moving further south to El Campello.

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Judge Mental

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What ever made them take their motorhome to a market? The main places in Spain where pickpockets and thieves are rife is at markets.

Agree.....nativity I guess, second mistake leaving passports in van. Fit a safe, if not carry them with you. Campers are gifts to thieves full of goodies....next time bet they get the bus:(

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Jim

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One thing is for sure, the thieves would not have been in there for long, probably less than a minute, they'll check the glove box area and scoop out most every locker Well hidden items may well go undiscovered. This is especially so if you fit a very loud internal siren. These really do ensure that the thief does not stay long inside your vehicle.
 

Antonio

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It's strange that in Andalucia all the houses have rejas (bars) on all the windows. I used to live there and I never really understood why. They just seem to be part of the decor and blend in. A house there would not look the same without them. I suppose it is historical and is now the norm on new build.

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Ivory55

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Am not sure alarms are good or bad. At the show weekend an alarm went off for a while and nobody batted an eye lid , not one person moved to look. I think it's like reversing bleepers on mobile plant etc , there is so many we tune them out and ignore them.
 

scotjimland

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Am not sure alarms are good or bad. At the show weekend an alarm went off for a while and nobody batted an eye lid , not one person moved to look. I think it's like reversing bleepers on mobile plant etc , there is so many we tune them out and ignore them.

you haven't heard a Strikeback growler alarm ..

I set mine off by accident, it is a wall of sound that you really can't suffer.. you can an actually feel it when in the van.. it's deafening

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Ivory55

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Your right I have not heard the growler, I just wondered in today's world where we do tune out various noises how good alarms are. They go off on holiday homes round here and nobody gives a second thought. I guess part of modern day life, we all keep to ourselves and not get involved.
 

DBK

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It's strange that in Andalucia all the houses have rejas (bars) on all the windows. I used to live there and I never really understood why. They just seem to be part of the decor and blend in. A house there would not look the same without them. I suppose it is historical and is now the norm on new build.
I'm not entirely sure it was about security of valuables, more about security of daughters! Gerald Brenan's South from Granada describes how in the time he was there, the 1920s, young men would stand outside in the street and talk to their young lady through the bars. That was as close as they got before they were married.
 
Aug 4, 2013
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yes, but some places are a much higher risk than others, the Spanish Costas are well known for thefts from tourists and break-ins to motorhomes.
for example.. where you were in Scotland recently, I'd park and and never worry... but wouldn't do so on the Med coast.

We lost a bike while standing beside it outside a Lidl in Spain !! .. thief grabbed it and cycled off.. in broad daylight.. barstewards :mad:

Even when shopping at a large supermarket we don't leave the van unattended.. always one of us stay with it..

Is it as bad on the french med coast? Suppose we always have to aware but I prefer to chill on holiday! We are looking at going to Perpignan moving round to Cannes.

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Jim

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Is it as bad on the french med coast? Suppose we always have to aware but I prefer to chill on holiday! We are looking at going to Perpignan moving round to Cannes.

Please don't worry too much. Literally millions of motorhomes head to Southern Europe summer and winter without incident of any kind. Don't leave anything irreplaceable in the van, don't be hyper vigilant, imagining the worse at all times as you'll not enjoy yourself. Try to maintain a relaxed level of alertness, take comfort from the fact that you've bothered with good van/breakdown and holiday insurance and have fun (y)
 

Judge Mental

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Is it as bad on the french med coast? Suppose we always have to aware but I prefer to chill on holiday! We are looking at going to Perpignan moving round to Cannes.


YES! Western Med France probably even worse

But as Jim said above you just need to engage your brain and take reasonable precautions, park carefully. if supermarket has broken glass on ground, move on, or one stay in van and one shop (that's what we do always anywhere) all about assessing the risk and acting accordingly
 
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Big big dog! Or booby traps!

image.jpg

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Aug 18, 2014
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It's strange that in Andalucia all the houses have rejas (bars) on all the windows. I used to live there and I never really understood why. They just seem to be part of the decor and blend in. A house there would not look the same without them. I suppose it is historical and is now the norm on new build.

Was also so that in the high heat of the summer the windows could be left open at night to allow the cool air to circulate.

Am not sure alarms are good or bad. At the show weekend an alarm went off for a while and nobody batted an eye lid , not one person moved to look. I think it's like reversing bleepers on mobile plant etc , there is so many we tune them out and ignore them.
You actually want one that is in excess of the pain threshold.
 

jumar

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In the past 10 years we have been robbed of Cash twice, both times from parked cars, both times on campsites, once in Australia, and once in NZ. We have lived on and off in Spain for 17 years, Robbed.....never. Other than a scam from a British couple who started a mobile home park, but we were not the only ones, still waiting a court date for this to be sorted.
 

Puddleduck

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People do let their guard down on holiday..... we've seen cars left unlocked with keys in the ignition - and in one case the engine running, kids in back as Mum nipped into the supermarket!

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maxine and jo

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My work hear in spain is in the tourist sector and this is so very common ,Brit reg's are always a target because
it is assumed you have the money . A little tip before heading this way get your self a GSM house alarm , this way if you are have a drink or a meal if anyone enters your motorhome you will receive a text message with in seconds of it happening .
 

Portland

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I'm not entirely sure it was about security of valuables, more about security of daughters! Gerald Brenan's South from Granada describes how in the time he was there, the 1920s, young men would stand outside in the street and talk to their young lady through the bars. That was as close as they got before they were married.
That's as near as I get to the wife now11:whistle:
 
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maxine and jo

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I forgot to say if any nice people tell you its ok we will keep an eye on it ,think very very hard before taking up there offer.:coolest:

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