Victims of Burglary.

Not something that I expected to be posting when I recently joined this forum.

We have received a telephone call this afternoon informing us that our home has been broken into and property stolen. The GNR have visited, and my husband has spoken to them on the phone. Fortunately, we are due to fly out in about a weeks time, but we have been told that on our first day, we will have to establish exactly what has been taken and then visit the local GNR to complete a report. Apparently you have to pay them for the papers, which you then need to provide to the insurer.
We are only over in Olhos for the week (which also includes Easter). Does anyone know, or have experience of how soon the insurers in Portugal will take to visit regarding the claim, and then how you go about replacing items. Probably unlikely to be able to replace during the next visit and then not due out again until the summer.

Would be grateful for any advice anyone can give.   Thanks Pauline.

Very sorry about your break in , have you got someone beside you neighbors who could perhaps help in first instance if so chamnge locks police would they have made secure ? Hope all is well when you get there it's not nice for that to happen to anyone in their home wish you well .

Have looked online for companies doing security grilles but not much luck when searching from the uk.

Looks like our forthcoming visit will be one of clearing up, chasing insurers and trying to secure property, rather than the much needed rest we were hoping for. The problem with many holiday homes is that they are surrounded by other such properties which are often empty, particularly during closed season thus making them an ideal target for thieves.

Thanks very much for the number Pete. Will likely give Steve Clarke a call when we are over.

Also considering what other deterrents we can install in the short term until we have sufficient time to get something more permanent.

We received a letter yesterday from the Justice Department in Albufeira. Five pages, which my husband spent last night translating via google.
The letter informed us that one of the people who burgled our home in April has recently been caught and charged. Apparently when he goes to Court, he faces a prison sentence of between 2 and 8 years. Much stiffer penalties than here in the UK!!!

Cooknoe wrote: We received a letter yesterday from the Justice Department in Albufeira. Five pages, which my husband spent last night translating via google. The letter informed us that one of the people who burgled our home in April has recently been caught and charged. Apparently when he goes to Court, he faces a prison sentence of between 2 and 8 years. Much stiffer penalties than here in the UK!!!

But presumably only if he is found guilty

I hope so.
The letter says that the Police have evidence linking him to the burglary. That is presumably from the extensive amount of fingerprinting which they did all over the house (that itself caused a great deal of mess and has left a lasting reminder on one of my duvet covers!)
Apparently, the man is from Faro, so I guess such criminals must roam around the various resorts looking for places that are obviously holiday homes which are often unoccupied. I do not know whether we will get to hear the outcome (I suspect not), and although his accomplice (s) have got away with it, at least we will have some justice for what was an upsetting and costly experience.
That said, it has made us much more conscious about security, both in Portugal, and here in the UK.