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Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) in Spain.
NHW (Spain) was started in Torrevieja in 1999 and now stretches throughout the Costa Blanca and beyond, being a legally constituted association under Spanish law and registered by the authorities in Madrid.
It is a voluntary organisation and membership is free once a branch has been set up.
In Javea there are 16 NHW areas, associated with different urbanisations each with a coordinator who may have over 350 residencies in their contact list. There is a central Committee with a Chairperson, a Lead Coordinator, a Treasurer and two other members. NHW Javea started 18 years ago.
On the Montgo Mountain in particular, since Christmas there have been a spate of incidents. Several house break-ins and at least 2 people have been threatened in their own homes. Residents are getting more security conscious, not least because of all the alerts that have been posted, but we all need to be even more aware of the need to be specific about reporting details.
There have recently been incidents when the thieves actually pulled the rejas off the wall, disabled security cameras, and broke windows. In the Summer months when residents are outside the house, there have been reports of thieves just walking in through unlocked doors. Simple advice provided to renters of properties should be considered, although there is a balance to be weighed between security and frightening off holiday makers.
I get a number of emails reporting suspicious looking people acting strangely in an area, and it’s really useful if good descriptions are made and car registrations noted. Some reportees take photographs also. However, it is important to do this as surreptitiously as possible and not put yourself in danger.
Common incidents concern the fake gas men and roofers who try to persuade you to let them in. We have had females even pushing a pram up the mountain, who we think are begging. Even with Iberdrola workmen calling at your property seeking to repair a supposed fault in your house, do be cautious; we all need to be more aware of potential dangers.
Always report serious criminal activity to the police, but also let your local NHW coordinator have details. The police will investigate but they do not alert the community.
On Tuesday March 8th there is to be a Javea-wide NHW meeting in the Social Centre in Javea town at 11am.
The two police chiefs will be there as well as Pepa Gisbert, the Town Hall Councellor for Security. We will be informed about the new 5 man team which is being set up to concentrate on security across the urbanisations and there will be a chance to ask questions, make suggestions and gather information on broad aspects of personal and property security. If you wish to come, it would be helpful to have names and numbers.
For more information about NHW contact David Reeve (lead coordinator for Javea) on
reevesol@gmail.com. If you are not in the Javea area David can give you the contact information for your local coordinator. Additionally
www.nhwinspain.com has more information.
By Sandra Benson. NHW Montgo, in association with Montgo Residents’ Association (APMJ).
If you are concerned about any aspect of security at your property contact Sara & Carl Barclay of Casa Segura Locksmiths in Javea for a FREE security assessment of your home. English speaking (and Spanish) Casa Segura has been established for 12 years. It is not expensive to protect your home, and these days it is extremely simple too. A very recent burglary caught two thieves perfectly on a camera supplied and fitted by Casa Segura enabling the Guardia Civil to use the photographic evidence immediately.
Contact Casa Segura on 659 853 645 (Shop 96 646 3712, 9:30 - 14:30 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays) or email
casasegura2004@yahoo.es.
Don’t miss the Homes,
Gardens & Lifestyle Show. See pages 33 - 36.
Female Focus
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