Hi. All. Thinking of heading to south of Spain in September. Has anybody heard of or suffered from damage to caravan whilst travelling on roads in Spain. Keep hearing warnings of yobs trying to stop you by damaging van or car whilst travelling. Especially on A7. Appreciate any info that might be out there . Unicorn ...
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There were a couple of threads on this about eighteen months ago ... can't find them ... Ratty, any chance?
We've never had any trouble ... but there were reports of this sort of activity on the roads round Barcelona and Madrid ... plus a couple on the north coast.
The activity seemed to concern tyre slashing at a service station, then, when the 'victims' stopped, a car would pull up and offer help .... items were stolen whilst occupants were out of the car sorting the problem.
Sometimes a car would draw level and indicate a problem with your wheel ... upon stopping, they, again, tried opportunistic snatching.
Best responses/actions:
1. Don't ever leave your vehicle unattended on a garage forecourt ... and keep a look out for anyone approaching the vehicle.
2. Any car driving alongside and pointing at your car ... take a couple of photos of them with your camera or phone .... they will not stop.
3. If you do stop to check tyres or change a wheel ... do not leave the car open and/or unattended.
4. Ensure all artioles of value are out of site and well packed/hidden.
I copied this from the Foreign Office website. Some useful advice but I wouldn't let it prey on your mind. Ditto Kelper's advice.
"When driving, be wary of approaches by bogus police officers in plain clothes travelling in unmarked cars. In all traffic-related matters, police officers will be in uniform, and all police officers, including those in plain clothes, carry official ID. Unmarked police vehicles have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window which reads Policía (Police) or Guardia Civil (Civil Guard), and normally have blue flashing lights. Genuine police officers will only ask you to show them your documents and will not ask for your bag or wallet/purse.
If in any doubt, you should talk through the car window and contact the Civil Guard on 062 or Police on 112 and ask them to confirm that the registration number of the vehicle corresponds to an official police vehicle.
Be aware of ‘highway pirates’ who target foreign-registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans. Some will (forcefully) try to make you stop, claiming there is something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs. If you decide to stop to check the condition of your/their vehicle, stop in a public area with lights like a service station, and be extremely wary of anyone offering help." this is the link
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WE came across a couple, when we in Moissac who had had their bag containing passports when down in Murcia. They were marking time for the receipt of replacements at Bordeaux.
It appears a very friendly , harmless, smiling man approached them; motioning for them to wind down the window . Door wrenched open and bag snatched.
They also claimed to have had it happen 2 years previously.
We are currently in Barcelona and all seems calm.
As the others have said, keep things locked and be vigilant.
Can I offer this tip. It may not work and you will never know it even if it does?
Try to make your mode of transport, be it trailer tent, 'van or motorhome look as if it has been around the block.
Get a Spanish Bull sticker as well as El Burro (the donkey) and the sheep and anything else you can find that makes it look as if you are seasoned travellers, even if you're not.
It just might put those intending on picking out a soft target think about choosing someone else.
------------- How come when some people visit the fountain of knowledge, they only gargle!!!
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Sadly some cases (2 or 3) were reported couple of years ago in Costa del Sol, and in Madrid motorway to Valencia, I remember. Thieves tried to fine the victims, asking for money inmediately, and showing false credentials, but they weren't violent. This practice is far from being extended. I haven´t heard again about it.
And as others have said, use common sense. Road police in the most regions of Spain is Guardia Civil, except in Basque Country (Ertzaintza and Miñones only Alava, rare), Navarra (Policia Foral) and in Cataluña (Mossos d'esquadra), and they seldom drive an unmarked vehicle stopping people. And they don´t stop you in the middle of nowhere. They do it At the tolls, roundabouts,towns etc.
Post last edited on 17/05/2013 14:43:26
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Topic: vandalism spain
