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Author Topic: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it

Offline Janet

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It’s that time of year again, where pickpockets and muggers follow the elderly and the winter sun seekers to Tenerife. Each year, the main tourist areas in the south become territory for these predators, and the National Police in Playa de las Américas always increase their presence and activity, arresting individuals and targeting the organized crime that is sometimes the cause of crimewaves. It’s not just tourists at risk, though, with residents here also vulnerable to opportunist crimes.

Obviously the police must be informed (see HERE) but they can only do so much. There is no substitute for self protection, and police say that holidaymakers and residents alike should be on guard everywhere, but particularly at the beach, in supermarkets, in bus queues, and hotels. It’s also a good idea to wear crossover bags or bumbags if out walking rather than shoulder bags. And put jewellery out of sight, or leave it in a safe if out just for a hike. Be on guard, and stay safe.
One must have sunshine, freedom and flowers. Hans Christian Andersen

Offline macdonald5

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #1 on: Sun 17 Dec 2017, 16:14 »
Friends of ours arrived the other day at Tenerife South airport , as often happens the female went to toilet leaving her husband leaning on trolley waiting for her
He was tapped on shoulder from behind and asked for the time
When his wife returned she looked at trolley he was 'guarding' to discover a bag had been taken by an accopliace of the gent  asking time
Unfortunately their passports ,IPad ,extra jewellery and some Christmas presents were all taken

Police were called and as our male friend is. Spanish National he was interviewed and after a short time was issued with a new passport and ID card
He is his eighties so was badly shaken by this incident
His wife is English so needs to go to Santa Cruz  for temp passport or send police paperwork to England to get her new passport.....they own property here so can stay for a few weeks

At Police station there was a long queue ,the helpful police officers informed our friends that they all had had similar experiences of theft

Not just at resorts everyone must stay very aware airport when easily distracted seems to be another target for these scumbags to visit .....Be very aware !!

Offline Janet

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #2 on: Sun 17 Dec 2017, 16:31 »
elderly and alone in a place that can be bewildering ... that's who and where these scum target. So sorry for your friends, macdonald ... thankfully his situation was straightforward and they own here so any delay can be absorbed.

Glad at least they weren't mugged for the bag, but how upsetting and shaking it must feel.
One must have sunshine, freedom and flowers. Hans Christian Andersen


Offline macdonald5

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #3 on: Tue 16 Jan 2018, 17:54 »
elderly and alone in a place that can be bewildering ... that's who and where these scum target. So sorry for your friends, macdonald ... thankfully his situation was straightforward and they own here so any delay can be absorbed.

Glad at least they weren't mugged for the bag, but how upsetting and shaking it must feel.


Looks like a positive outcome to a distressing situation for them
Her replacement passport has been processed in Ireland and flown from Heathrow to Tenerife North then on to Santa Cruz and will be delivered to her by carrier in next few days  by DHL or similar
She has tracking number so should be available to sign for at appointed time
Might be wee dispute with travel insurance claim though as they did not cover the correct length of their stay

Offline TOTO 99

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #4 on: Tue 16 Jan 2018, 18:05 »

Looks like a positive outcome to a distressing situation for them
Her replacement passport has been processed in Ireland and flown from Heathrow to Tenerife North then on to Santa Cruz and will be delivered to her by carrier in next few days  by DHL or similar
She has tracking number so should be available to sign for at appointed time
Might be wee dispute with travel insurance claim though as they did not cover the correct length of their stay

Surely the airport is bristling with cameras? That would go for the outside too so I would have thought the police would not only have a picture of the crims but also their means of exit?

Offline macdonald5

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #5 on: Tue 16 Jan 2018, 18:12 »
Police were great with our friends, he is a Spanish National so got priority treatment but queue at Police station was long and all seemed to have been robbed at sirport
If police know who the thieving B's are they just might be doing something

Offline macdonald5

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #6 on: Wed 17 Jan 2018, 10:44 »
Another ploy thieves are using.....yesterday poolside friends were on Titsa bus from PDLas americas to Masca The lady noticed a man who had tried to dip her husband's pocket in Mercadona the previous day so started to watch his antics
He got off the bus at every stop then came back on , at first she thought he was having a quick puff but then saw him dip into a pocket and take money from unsuspecting person At this she shouted out and the driver saw the situation and refused to let him get back on board
Looks like some person was being bag/ pocket dipped each time bus stopped and he was back on bus with his ill gotten gains

Offline Michael

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #7 on: Fri 9 Feb 2018, 16:11 »
I spooked these 2 trying to dip a tourists camera bag this afternoon.

What do we think? Worth reporting tomorrow?



 until I return to Tenerife! :toothygrin:

Offline Janet

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #8 on: Fri 9 Feb 2018, 16:29 »
yes, worth taking to the police ... of itself it might not be worth too much but it could add to other info they have. And the image is important to have. Try the new tourist police in the Policía Local station up the hill.  :great:
One must have sunshine, freedom and flowers. Hans Christian Andersen

Offline Michael

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Re: Winter is coming … and the annual crimewave with it
« Reply #9 on: Fri 9 Feb 2018, 16:38 »
The mark nearly shit himself when I told him.  :giggle:
 until I return to Tenerife! :toothygrin: