Valencia security warning. (1 Viewer)

[The Rolling Stones]

We are on our way through Spain to Portugal and stopped off at the permitted parking south of Valencia on the beach. It all started so well, peaceful, great location.... and then at 4.30 in the morning I found two men forcing the Motorhome doors. I disturbed them before they could get in but I now need two new door locks. Fortunately nothing stolen and no other damage although they had actually forced the cab door lock open, I like to think the growling Bull Terrier on the other side stopped them using this way in. Beware!
ps - definitely no gas involved!!!

 

[Figaro]

Did you report to the police ?

 

[The Rolling Stones]

Not yet. I’ll email the details later.

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[TinaLes]

What a horrible, frightening experience for you, hope you are OK and can still carry on with your holiday.
What the hell were these thieves thinking of?, surely they must have realised the van was occupied, so even if they got in, what were they going to do nick stuff in front of you, or maybe even have some sort of weapon, scary thought eh?

For the benefit of all of us, how did they "force" the cab doors open, what method was used?
Too late now, but I honestly did not imagine that anyone would try and break into the van overnight with it being occupied, although I know its happened on motorway service aires and alike.
I am now thinking the Hoesafe internal cab door locks might be worth a futher look.

Best wishes to you, hope the Portuguese rozzers help with catching the scumbags.

Les

 

[Stealaway]

Easy pickings and new victims every week. They will not stop until they are caught.

 

[David and Sally]

The determined thief will find a way and take risks. Did they know it was occupied? I have just fitted a Growler in the hope the very bright external LEDs flashing would at least deter them elsewhere.

We don't have a Alsatian anymore so I guess I'll just have to post Sally on sentry duty

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[Baldeagle7470]

What a horrible, frightening experience for you, hope you are OK and can still carry on with your holiday.
What the hell were these thieves thinking of?, surely they must have realised the van was occupied, so even if they got in, what were they going to do nick stuff in front of you, or maybe even have some sort of weapon, scary thought eh?

For the benefit of all of us, how did they "force" the cab doors open, what method was used?
Too late now, but I honestly did not imagine that anyone would try and break into the van overnight with it being occupied, although I know its happened on motorway service aires and alike.
I am now thinking the Hoesafe internal cab door locks might be worth a futher look.

Best wishes to you, hope the Portuguese rozzers help with catching the scumbags.

Les

Les,header says Valencia,surely Guarda Civil in Spain to deal with it?

 

[nicholsong]

The determined thief will find a way and take risks. Did they know it was occupied? I have just fitted a Growler in the hope the very bright external LEDs flashing would at least deter them elsewhere.

We don't have a Alsatian anymore so I guess I'll just have to post Sally on sentry duty

Does she bark? - at other people I mean.

 

[David and Sally]

Does she bark? - at other people I mean.

No, but I guess I could take her to training classes.
Re the OP, scary stuff.. Hope you are over it now.

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[nicholsong]

We are on our way through Spain to Portugal and stopped off at the permitted parking south of Valencia on the beach. It all started so well, peaceful, great location.... and then at 4.30 in the morning I found two men forcing the Motorhome doors. I disturbed them before they could get in but I now need two new door locks. Fortunately nothing stolen and no other damage although they had actually forced the cab door lock open, I like to think the growling Bull Terrier on the other side stopped them using this way in. Beware!
ps - definitely no gas involved!!!

Not nice. Sympathies.

Could you determine in the dark which continent they originate from?

It could be a Spanish South coast problem.

 

[Lenny HB]

No good but at least you are OK and only minor damage.
I take it you didn't have your alarm set. Always set ours regardless of where we are parked up.

 

[Yorick]

We don't have a Alsatian anymore so I guess I'll just have to post Sally on sentry duty

I'd just tell the missus that some burglar is nicking her chocolate

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[Minxy]

Where exactly did this happen please as we will be heading that way soon hopefully so don't want to come a cropper!

 

[irnbru]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[billym]

The parking places on the beaches south of Valencia ( el Saler) are often subjected to thieves
Just look at the first six comments on this spot



It is also a favourite spot for single men lurking in bushes.

I think the word in the op should be "tolerated "parking rather than permitted parking.

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[romany]

for those not quite as keen on free and cheap parking and the associated perceived risks this is a site with good reputation https://valenciacamperpark.com/welcome/ buy the multi tram bus train tickets they are brilliant about 20 mins in to Valencia center niece inlaw lives in the village there

 

[romany]

The parking places on the beaches south of Valencia ( el Saler) are often subjected to thieves
Just look at the first six comments on this spot



It is also a favourite spot for single men lurking in bushes.

I think the word in the op should be "tolerated "parking rather than permitted parking.

Parts of el saler are frequented by naturist these beaches are well signed Malverosa nearer city center has more full timers some of the old properties along there have squatters but local guardia seem to be around so not many problems

 

[busby]

What a horrible, frightening experience for you, hope you are OK and can still carry on with your holiday.
What the hell were these thieves thinking of?, surely they must have realised the van was occupied, so even if they got in, what were they going to do nick stuff in front of you, or maybe even have some sort of weapon, scary thought eh?

For the benefit of all of us, how did they "force" the cab doors open, what method was used?
Too late now, but I honestly did not imagine that anyone would try and break into the van overnight with it being occupied, although I know its happened on motorway service aires and alike.
I am now thinking the Hoesafe internal cab door locks might be worth a futher look.

Best wishes to you, hope the Portuguese rozzers help with catching the scumbags.

Les

That's what I have,,easy to fit and very secure.BUSBY.

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[billym]

Parts of el saler are frequented by naturist these beaches are well signed Malverosa nearer city center has more full timers some of the old properties along there have squatters but local guardia seem to be around so not many problems

No it wasn't naturists I was referring to.
It is the male doggers I was talking about. They pop up when you are least expecting them!

 

[billym]

Not really! We stayed there two years ago for a week.
There was always lone men in the bushes lurking and looking ....furtive.
I went on my push bike to watch Valencia one night. Coming back was a nightmare with men constantly appearing out of the bushes as I went past.

Apologies to anyone who likes that sort of thing but I don't

 

[Minxy]

No it wasn't naturists I was referring to.
It is the male doggers I was talking about. They pop up when you are least expecting them!

?

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[The Rolling Stones]

Just to summarise, the location were the ring car parks at El Saler, easily visible on Google Maps. I looked out of the window down onto one of them, couldn’t tell you his origin, but on reflection he can’t have been more than 5’6” tall, dark hair. It wasn’t a frightening experience, just made us very angry. It has highlighted how rubbish door locks actually are though. The front door is secure again and at night strapped shut. It hasn’t put me off wild camping but has made me more aware of what can happen.

 

[138go]

We avoid anywhere like that, that is, anywhere near to big towns. Try the free Aire at Grau/Grao,
El Grao de Castellón

 

[The Rolling Stones]

The parking places on the beaches south of Valencia ( el Saler) are often subjected to thieves
Just look at the first six comments on this spot

This is a different area but geographically not too far away. Park4night had no such warnings as I recall. The actual spot isn’t listed on Campercontact.

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[romany]

Not putting this as an excuse or justification but Valencia is a Beautiful city and has a lot to see but along with many other east coast cities / bigger villages suffers from the high unemployment and illegal immigration and Spain's benefit system is much stricter on criteria than ours but in my opinion a lot fairer

 

[jollyrodger]

This one ¿
N 39.386348, W 0.326362

 

[Minxy]

Having had a shuftie on Google maps the El Saler one is a bit further North than the Camper contact one, and is much closer to El Saler itself, with lots of parking areas it's a prime place for thieves to gather as there would be much richer pickings than from a single car park.

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[TinaLes]

Reading the reviews that many have left for the camper contact El Saler spot, most of the thefts seem to have occurred in the last 6 months, so I guess its probably migrants, and they are blatant in that they are not scared to do it in full view!.
Sod that for a game of soldiers, if it were me I would gladly pay for a proper parking place at the Valencia Camperpark, they have everything and even sell the train tickets needed to get to and from Valencia, plus loads of advice on what to see etc. Check out their helpful video.
Les

 

[Sabino]

Reading the reviews that many have left for the camper contact El Saler spot, most of the thefts seem to have occurred in the last 6 months, so I guess its probably migrants, and they are blatant in that they are not scared to do it in full view!.
Les

I'm sure that the vast majority of us on this site are migrants themselves.