A spate of house robberies, attacks and an increase in mafia-style activity on the Costa Blanca is creating alarm among residents in the area, and causing local neighbourhood groups and housing associations to demand that the government tackle this huge and growing problem.
According to politicians in Alicante, house robberies reduced by 3.05% in 2003 compared to the previous year, yet despite the promising figures, it’s not all positive for Alicante province. In fact, it heads the whole of Spain as the province with the greatest number of crimes per 1,000 residents, that is 38.2. Translated into layman’s terms, it means that staggeringly every 43 minutes, some kind of crime is taking place on a property in the Alicante area.
The recent attack on a British family holidaying at La Sella complex in August clearly highlights the magnitude of the problem. La Sella, normally a tranquil golf and spa resort popular with foreign holidaymakers and year-round residents, was transformed when a family were brutally beaten and locked up while their villa was ransacked by two men, in an incident that local police described as “extremely violent”.
Not all attacks are violent: gangsters often con the elderly into believing they work for a utility company, even carrying official looking cards and wearing outfits to match. Once they are inside a house, they often steal money and valuables while distracting the owners, or con them into paying large amounts of money for imaginary utility bills.
Housing associations are realising they need to enforce tough measures to protect residents. In Ciudad Patricia, for example, a typical urbanisation in Benidorm occupied by elderly residents, it is hoped that the green-light will be given to install security doors as attacks, robberies and intimidations on residents have tripled over the last few months. A security door locked between 10pm and 8am and reinforced with a security guard is urgently needed if similar attacks and robberies experienced by the residents in this block are not to be repeated.
In areas in the south of the Costa Blanca Neighbourhood Watch associations have sprung up to encourage residents to look out for each other’s property.
Ramón Jerez, president of the Federation of Construction Firms in Alicante, points out that the problem is especially bad news for the coastal areas such as the Vega Baja, Las Marinas and Alicante city, whose population has been vastly increasing over the past few years. Jerez argues out that as well as having a negative effect on the housing market, the problem must be tackled soon if the vulnerable are to regain confidence and crime diminished. Imminent talks with the Government are hoped to ease the situation, yet only if opportune measures are taken in the fight against crime.

Tips to ensure a safer home:
1. Fit a keyhole lookout in your door to check who is paying you a visit.
2. Never answer your door to strangers, even if they look official.
3. Fit your front door with chains for added security
4. Stick a notice outside your front door in Spanish stating that no-one will be allowed entry without a prior appointment.
5. Have extra iron bars fitted on your doors and windows.

6. Keep the number of the local Guardia Civil close to all telephones or call 112 if you are suspicious.
7. If you are going away have security lights fitted and ask a friend to call round to check the property.
8. Leave the radio on when you go out.
9. When you go down to the pool do not leave the door to the house unlocked.
10. If someone comes to the front door make sure the back door is locked as con men often work in pairs.
11. Don’t expect a dodgy caller to be a burly man. Crooks are much cleverer and often use women or young, personable men to con.
12. Don’t be bullied into letting somone onto the premises and if you do stay with them at all times.
13. Have an alarm system fitted.
14. If in doubt do not let them in
15. Have a system fitted that you understand
16. Let people know you are protected