Home Security
Spain is a relatively safe country. The UN crime survey of crime trends for 1998 to 2000, found there were only 24,000 burglaries in Spain compared to 836,000 in the UK and 371,000 in France. Nonetheless, a 20% increase in home burglaries between 1996 and 2001 has led to substantial growth in the home protection sector.
Choosing a Company
Should you wish to contract the services of a professional security company and invest in an alarm system, confirm that the alarm company has an ample team of security guards.
Recently passed laws require companies to send a representative to your home prior to ringing the police. If unprepared or understaffed, ineffective service providers may not be able to answer an alarm, or may directly ring the police incurring heavy fines for the client.
Selecting an Alarm
A professional will need to assess your home and the area to outline the available options. You must decide whether to buy or rent the system. In some cases you pay a monthly service charge.
If you rent, the alarm company should agree to periodically upgrade your equipment at no cost.
Many systems are silent as opposed to the ear shattering acoustic versions. Sirens have lost their shock effect on thieves and in the case of frequent false alarms, can really bother the neighbours. Thieves know very well that there are silent and semi-silent systems connected to alarm centres.
Modern alarm systems can connect with mobile frequencies eliminating the obstacle of cut phone wires. Many systems issue individual numeric codes allowing you to keep track of who comes in and out.
A big advantage of individual numbers is that they can be deleted when this person no longer requires access. Many systems allow for Internet monitoring connected to surveillance cameras and mobile telephones.
Many detection systems are magnetic, using door and window alarms and motion detectors. False alarms can be avoided by the use of volume detectors which are triggered by the duality of heat and movement.
Digital keypad activation is more secure than keys.
Added Extras
Panic buttons, safes, property inspections during holidays, secure key "check out" programmes and even the possibility of calling in to remotely activate the alarm you forgot to turn on before leaving home.
Security Companies
INSTALL SOLUTIONS
Tel: 952 597 108
PROSEGUR
Tel: 902 202 999
SECURITAS DIRECT
Tel: 902 510 002
TODOALARMA
Tel: 902 365 358
Routine Safety Practices in Your Home
Prevention is always better than cure, as stolen possessions are rarely recovered. Grilles really do deter break ins!
Store valuables in a safe - hiding them isn't a good idea, thieves are professionals.
Close and lock all doors and windows.
Lock grilles on patio and other doors.
Close shutters and secure any bolt or locks.
If you have an alarm system, use it.
Notify the alarm company whenabsent for an extended period.
Make it appear the property is occupied by the use of timers and leaving lights and a TV/radio on.
If you go away have someone pick up the junk mail and flyers that may accumulate.
Never leave anything of value next to open windows (or in your car.)
Spare Key
Of course it is always best to leave a spare key with a friend, however if you find yourself locked out, there are 24 hour English speaking locksmiths that cover the Coast. See Locksmiths in the yellow classified section.
Reporting a Crime
If you are a victim of a robbery, you should go to your local police station and make a declaration. This official document is obligatory when filing an insurance claim or replacing lost documentation.
If you're the victim of a crime on the Costa del Sol, you may report the incident in a variety of ways:
In person - At the Guardia Civil or at a National Police station. There are interpreter services available, along the coast at most National police stations, queues can be long.
By telephone - The best way to report a crime is by phoning the National Police at 902 102 112 (cost of a local call). Operators speak Spanish, English, French, Italian, German and Japanese. You make your report, are given a reference number and then have 48 hours to go to your local station with this reference number to sign the original.
By Internet - Crime report forms are available on the internet: www.policia.es in several languages. After completing the online form, you will receive a reference number. From 10:00 of the following morning, you have 48 hours to go to your local station with this reference number to sign the original.
In the case of a violent crime or if you can identify the criminal by name, you must file the report in person.