Policia Local and NHW link up in Torrevieja

TORREVIEJA’S new Neighbourhood Watch Local Police Liaison Officer Manolo Vera was introduced to local NHW Coordinators at the International Marina Café.

NHW Vice President and Director of the Foreign Residents Office, Graham Knight was on hand to translate and go over new initiatives, while Chief of Local Police Eduardo Gill and Councillor for Foreigners Rosario Martinez also added their support.

Up for discussion were squatters and what could be done to evict them, bar noise, illegal cars, bogus gasmen and local urbanisation check which started last week.

Uniquely in Spain, law enforcement from the Guardia Civil, Local Police and National Police officers working with the Valencia Provincial Police are mounting a campaign throughout the city’s urbanisations.

The security checks will also involve a Police Helicopter in designated areas.

Expatriates who are driving their cars in Spain without a current MOT or Insurance and who have had them here for more than six months of the year, may also be stopped and asked to provide proof that their car is within the legal time restrictions.

Manolo Vera said that the most exciting development was a direct email address to Policia Local (Torrevieja.policialocal@gmail.com), which will allow any member of the public to contact the police, in English, with any security issues, suspicious circumstances or to pass on any information about crimes.

This email will be checked at least six times a day but for any emergencies, one should always call 112, were they will be put through to an English speaking Operator.

Neighbourhood Watch website www.nhwinspain.com or send an email to nhwintorrevieja@gmail.com.

‘Bogus’ gas warning

Neighbourhood Watch have warned about bogus gasmen as on Friday an elderly lady in Campoverde became the latest victim.

Unfortunately the lock on her gate was broken and the gasmen were able to just walk through and ring the front doorbell.

They said they were there to inspect her gas appliances and followed her into the house when she tried to get away from them.

She showed them her purse to show them that she did not have any money with her but undeterred, they then escorted her to an ATM where she withdrew money to pay them to ‘inspect’ her system.

They inspected her boiler and did some work on it. After they had gone she telephoned her daughter and told her what had happened.

She immediately went to her house and contacted the police who arrived on the scene very quickly.

Within a few minutes the Police found the gasmen who were still in the area, but when their papers were inspected they were found to be legal gas engineers and so technically, no crime had been committed.

The daughter then contacted Repsol, who came to check the work that had been performed correctly. Worryingly, Repsol found that all was not right and then they had to repair whatever changes had been performed on the victim’s boiler.

This is an old, old con trick, so please if you see these gasmen in your street, please let those in your community know of the situation immediately.

Warning !

LOCAL security services are also on the lookout for a Blue Audi A3, with registration number: 3390 GNB.

This vehicle is believed to be in the hands of persons dedicated to committing house burglaries throughout the Vega Baja area.

If you see this car please call 112 immediately and pass on the whereabouts of the car.

By Keith Nicol