Safety & Security in PP!!!

[cat Scotland]

Yes it did shake me up a bit, I don't know what would put me off, as I just love PP, its such a beautiful place

 

[Smiddy]

Cat, You should have gave her a good old Scottish slap back!

 

[Nick]

Oh dear, this is not good. This will undoubtedly be an attempt to steal from you, a tactic employed by a certain group of undesirables.

If the slap was followed by a theft then this amounts to robbery, it goes without saying that this is then a step up from a simple, but equally distressing, pickpocketing situation.

I have to agree with Smiddy, if someone does that to me, male or female, then I'd probably be tempted to strike back in self defence, perfectly legal in English law. I don't think I'd recommend it though!

We do not want to see this happening. The problem is we Brits don't defend ourselves enough, that's why these vermin are about in PP.

Be careful folks but DON'T be put off visiting!!

 

[El Gordo]

What an awful incident.

It is a shame that there seems to be no easy way of reporting such incidents, with language barriers as they are.

Where and to whom should incidents be reported? This sort of thing should be used prompt police patrols to encourage the culprits to go somewhere else.

I read somewhere that the police in Cala Rajada were driving out such people by adopting a "Zero Tolerance" approach to all types of harassment from prostitution and gypsies to Lookey Lookies etc.

I did notice an increased number of Looky Lookies (however, I must say I have never had a problem with them) when I was in the Port during September/October, maybe as a result of such action in CR.

Having said all this, I hope it does not put people off visiting our wonderful Port. No matter where you are in the world you need to take precautions to safeguard yourself and your possessions.

Think positively and enjoy your visits.

 

[pollensafan]

A couple of times in september I noticed a couple of women walking around with what I assumed was lucky heather, however they never attempted to approach me with it. As my wife pointed out. " Nor would they if they had any sense" Hmmm, she has a point.

 

[kate1]

Honestly, I wouldn't attempt to defend myself - having known someone who did just that in the UK when they were being mugged, only to find a knife was pulled on them... Admittedly that was in the mean streets of South East London, and I have never heard of similar levels of violence in Mallorca... but still. I admit it would be tempting but at the end of the day, even if you are robbed, it is only money you are losing...

 

[pollensafan]

Kate, I have never had to attempt to defend myself. You would have to see me to understand why

 

[CathB]

Kate, I have never had to attempt to defend myself. You would have to see me to understand why

I think my OH would say the same - he is not exactly small.Unless I had to go the the bank. (when my OH makes sure I go straight back and put card etc back in the safe) I try never carry much money in my bag .having had a bag taken in PP last year I am glad I didnt have to cancel cards etc. it was a bit of a pain not having my mobile but that was quickly stopped.

 

[pollensafan]

Cath, Its not just the size thing ( no pun intended) but as my better half always says. " I look more likely to do the attacking than be attacked "lol.

 

[alcanadakid]

This reminds me of a time when I was sitting in court listening to trial. and a women popped her head into the public gallery and shouted "anyone for lucky heather".

The defendant raised his hand....

 

[Tonsyl]

Kate 1 says that she's never come across "similar levels" of crime in Mallorca and I hope it never gets there but there have been several incidents recently, including in Alcudia where a man employed to empty slot machines was threatened by an armed man and robbed. The Palma area has seen many more violent robberies and let's not forget that it is only 30 minutes away by way of the motorway. Anywhere in the island is vulnerable to these people, many of whom lived such lives in their native homelands, which is definitely not Mallorca. As people have said, we just need to be aware that such things might happen and try to make the local authorities sit up and take notice, as in the case of Cala Ratjada.

 

[Sparky]

Tonsyl to be fair to the "authorities" they have sat up and took notice, that is why they have caught so many of these criminals, there are frequent reports in the press of arrests being made. Like law enforcement officers all over the world they can't be everywhere, every minute of the day.

 

[Tonsyl]

I appreciate that Sparky and they're doing what they can in difficult circumstances but there is only so much policing that can be bought on limited financial resources and that's the same the world over, just look at West Yorkshire for an example. OK, there is not a crime wave in PP by any stretch of the imagination but what there is has to be stamped on hard before it gets bigger because, if the area is seen as a soft target, the criminal will take advantage. I just wonder how many of those who are arrested continue committing offences after they have been released ?

 

[Sparky]

But that is my point Tonsyl, it is being stamped on , i can't see what else they can do, patrols have been increased and the police/guardia are very visible.

 

[Tonsyl]

Sparky, this is a discussion better had over a drink and a meal, it could go on for ever ! My point is that although steps have been taken, they are not enough, although there is no money at the moment to engage more police, so, as you say, what more can be done ? We read report after report of members of this forum having encountered petty crime of one sort or another. This forums members only represent a small minority of visitors to PP, so there must be more incidents taking place. You, yourself posted a report on the 10th. October relating to a case of Romanians in court and I wonder if they are still in jail or back out? As an example, in the days when I had daily contact with the police here I heard many times about career petty criminals who would be in court on a morning, fined, released and committing crime again that afternoon.

 

[Major Tom]

I do not understand why the Police do not stop all street sellers at night
"The lookie lookie men" as we call them from selling their dodgy flashing light
junk,whislt stealing mobile phones of tables outside bars.
I hear most of the pickpockets are operating in the Markets & Large Supermarkets,
perhaps the Police could patrol these areas more frequently for the livelihood of
the PP (as once bitten twice shy). I for one will not shop in the Large Eroski ever again.

 

[alcanadakid]

Sparky, this is a discussion better had over a drink and a meal, it could go on for ever ! My point is that although steps have been taken, they are not enough, although there is no money at the moment to engage more police, so, as you say, what more can be done ? We read report after report of members of this forum having encountered petty crime of one sort or another. This forums members only represent a small minority of visitors to PP, so there must be more incidents taking place. You, yourself posted a report on the 10th. October relating to a case of Romanians in court and I wonder if they are still in jail or back out? As an example, in the days when I had daily contact with the police here I heard many times about career petty criminals who would be in court on a morning, fined, released and committing crime again that afternoon.

An interesting statistic to add to the discussion is that in England and Wales offences coming to court are down 34%. So much so that we are having to close and merge courts through lack of business.

Prolific offenders as mentioned above would never just be fined and released in the UK, and I would imagine it is the same in Spain. Prolific offenders usually get a custodial sentence even for a very minor offence

 

[Sparky]

I wonder if the UK offences are actually falling or is it that people just don't bother to report them anymore, unless they have had a lot of money or property stolen in which case they need a crime number to claim on insurance.

 

[Smiddy]

Crime in PP

Let's not beat about the bush, the main culprits are Eastern Europeans, who seem to excel in the art of pick-pocketing, when the cops do catch them why can't they deport them, at least off the Island. I mean why are they there in the 1st place, there's little or no work for them and unlike you or i, certainly aren't there for a holiday. They'll have to sort it out, Mallorca thrives on tourism, we don't want people not returning.

In case anybody gets the wrong end of the stick, it's the villians i'm talking about, and only villians.

 

[Tonsyl]

In respect of crime figures in the UK and cases coming to court I tend to agree with the expression "lies, damn lies and statistics". Call me cynical but it is too easy for the government of the day (whichever party) to save money by "massaging" figures to achieve cost cutting and too easy for crime statistics to show what you want to show, i.e. "crime figures are falling, aren't we good". There was a study done fairly recently which alleged that some police forces were now not recording some crimes on their statistics which they had done in the past. Net result...........yes a drop in overall crime!!!
I totally agree with the comments concerning Eastern European nationals but with open borders, you send them home one day, they're back the next. As to offenders being or not being fined and released, reflect on very recent cases of offenders being on court bail and offending, even murdering. Unfortunately it happens and it shouldn't.