Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Other Local Resorts & Areas => Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum => Topic started by: amanda bullock on June 11, 2007, 06:49:55 AM
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had to happen to me!!!!!!
We arrived to find squatters had been living there.Obviously they knew we were arriving soon as they had gone.Appartment disgusting>please get your appts checked!!!!
Burgled two days later.what fun!They came in through lounge patio door.very worrying as they went in childrens bedroom.!!!!`did not get much money but took the hire car,phones games etc.Please get extra security on your appts as this is now a regular occurance.They are waiting for holiday makers to arrive with "goodies"Also ladies , DON'T hook your handbag on the back of your chair when out.Keep it in view.Someone emptied my purse!After all that I still love Fethiye!What a holiday
Amanda B
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One of the first things to buy when furnishing an apt/villa is a good safe one that cant be picked up and walked away with, have a word with Erin at the Spot Shop
Ron
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Sorry to hear that Amanda, hope it won't spoil the rest of your family holiday, best wishes
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Sorry to hear about this. Several apartments around us have also been broken into recently - even first floor ones. Next time I go out I'm adding window and patio door locks. Already have an alarm but rarely use it when out there as often the kids like to 'sleep out' in the living room.
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be careful it's frightening!
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Amanda sorry to here about the break in, you want to get away from horrors like that but you discover that it goes on all over the world.I will be making sure we are careful whilst we are out next and taking precautions to ensure that we do not suffer as you have. Thanks for the warning.
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oh Amanda i am so sorry, i heard on the grapevine about your problems, but did not realise it was you. Please if there is anything i can do don't hesitate to email me. We do seem to be having regular police patrols at night, so hopefully your misfortune has made the powers that be aware that we have problems here. We have had iron work fitted to our windows plus extra locks, i am hoping that that acts as a deterrent, also got dogs, they most definitely help. Once again so sorry that this has happened to you.
regards Mia
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thanks Mia.yes it was a shock and it has opened my eyes a lot.You do tend to let your guard down when on holiday.We had squatters in as well before we arrived.It was in a right state.Got some friends up the road and they lent us an appt for the 1st night.Let me know where you are.It's hard to find people when you're out there.Spent ages looking for Laffa.Carried weetabix around for days.ha ha .met steve 49 and had a chat(small world).
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Really sorry Amanda.
On our complex two apartments above us were targeted some months ago and they are having security bars fitted all round.
I think these bars are a must now and they work out about £700 for a 2 bed apartment. If someone wants to break in they will but the time spent sawing bars or breaking extra locks may put them off if the apartment next door hasnt got any.
Cant neighbours keep an eye out for you because I know even if our place is being aired, the neighbours opposite email us asking why windows open and as squatters are long term I am amazed that their existence day after day in your place wasnt noticed by your neighbours.It must have stood out like a sore thumb
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Amanda - thats really miserable :(. Hope you got everything sorted out quickly. Keep smiling girl :)
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spent all week cleaning.They'd used the beds but i had locked the sheets,towels etc away thank god.They were noticed and reported to the various estate agents but nothing followed up.I had a big bag full of evidence.Shoes,make up,empty bottles etc.
We have made some good friends out there after all this and two different lots of neighbours have my number.I still love Fethiye but I don't feel as safe anymore,especially as I spend time there with my kids without my husband.But they're not stopping me!!!!!!!!!!
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hi amanda, would it have been liz and harry's apartment you stayed in. I live very near, email me anytime. Mia
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Oh My God Amanda! I hate to think how you felt! Whilst we were there with Bruce (Scot) and Brenda - there was a villa broken into behind them! There is far too much of this going on hun!
I really do not know what to say to you. I know our friends out there - they have the villa just behind us in Green Valley - and they were done over 3 times! Needless to say they had the bars fitted very quickly.
When we were there at Green Valley last year - two women tried to get into the next doors apartment - whilst myself and mother in law were watching from our balcony! We could not believe their cheek!
Keep your chin up - and like Pookie said "Keep smiling girl" xxx
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Did you do anything about it or did you just watch "The entertainment"?
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Hi Tribalelder - if you mean me witnessing the two women trying to get in next door - ofcourse I did! I was able to tell the guy that does all the jobs on our complex - and he confronted them - and they soon scarpered! I wanted to take it further - but he did not think it was too much of a problem. We are still trying to sort this out with the complex management - as we are supposed to have 24 hour security!"!"! The complex gates should not have even been open to allow them to just walk in!!
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Good....so many people these days just "look the other way" :)
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Not me matey - they don't call the the Rottwieller for nothin' hahahaha. We were gobsmacked - could not beleive it! I may only be 4ft 11 and a fag paper - but no-one messes with me! hahahaha
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SCAREY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I am as gentle as a kitten - ask Scot! AKA Brucey in the pink housey! (gotta be said in a scottish accent - otherwise it does not have the right effect!!) Seriously though that is what Steve calls me! I don't stand any messing from anyone!!! hahahahaha x
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said it in a scottish accent,got some funny looks!!!!!!!!!lol
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I bet lol!!!!. I was wondering actually when he will be making a posting - I did warn him what I was gonna put hahahaha. He really is a nice guy - and Brenda - well she is lovely. Sorry Brucey - if you have read this - I hope you are really embarrassed now lol.
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No chance, what you say is all, all, TRUE.
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Back on topic please :)
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what a meanie!!!!!!!!
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hear hear!
Actually - back on to the subject - does anyone know anything about the law and Security guards at private complexes carrying guns?
I had a phone call from a resident at Green Valley Complex - and because we have let it be known to the management team at Green Valley that there have been a fair few break ins in the area - the builder has taken it upon himself to apparently give our security guard a gun! This happened the day after we left there - and there are a lot of people there quite stunned about this course of action!
Please advise?
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read your other post as well kirby.Yes ,it is a bit worrying but I think it,s because we're not used to it.They will have to be registered and of course they have all had training in the army.maybe you should get a caretaker as someone else said.
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Yep Amanda - I did! But to be honest - after I made this posting on the Green Valley thingy - thought I would make a posting on the "bigger picture" so everybody else would be able to read and hopefully advise! Which ofcourse they have!!!! But thankyou for pointing that out to me xxxxxxx Also thankyou for the advice !!! xxxx
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Hi Amanda, I feel awful, just been browsing through the forum and found your post, I am so sorry to hear about the break in, and heres you trotting around with weetabix, I hope the low life rats get whats coming to them, and if thats the case I totally agree with security carrying guns,Denise is in your area too and on her own alot, I am so glad that she is home for the birth, I would be worried sick if she was out there, She will be going back with the baby though and she has'nt got security where she is,I was up there alot during our stay and looking out for your belly warmers on the balconys, but no sign,and heres me thinking the only problem was dog s--t. I will be back out in Sept hope things have improved, You keep your chin up, luv Moe.x
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A lot of the security guards now have guns. Our guy Mehmet also has a whistle that he blows is he sees any suspicious characters around our or nearby builds. One of the problems is that most of the 'security' guards are also doing garden and pool maintenance and finish their shifts when sun comes up to grab a couple of hours sleep. A lot of the break ins are happening around dawn at the moment.
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thanx moe.i am out all of august.i will let you have my number or give me dees address.
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Will let you know by e.mail, all I know its up the hill on the right.but its always handy to have someone on hand, dont you think.
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definately and i luuuurrrvv. babies
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This increasing trend in break ins really depresses me. One of the many things I hate about Spain is virtually every property`s windows have bars on them on the ground floor and first floor.. It must be like looking through prison bars all the time.
Luckily we have not had any break ins on our complex...yet... The moment that happens , if it happens.. I cant live with `iron bars` I would rather sell up and live in pastures new..Turkey is slowly (quickly even ) getting toooo much like Spain where that type of crime is common. A very ugly trend developing I fear :(
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:)Sleuth, I think you have just echoed alot of peoples thoughts, sad it may be, but you hav'nt saved all that money for some toerag to take it, and your sense of well being away. I know I dont own property there, and in a way I am glad, because I would feel exactly as you do now. I fear so much for my daughter when she goes back there with a new baby,Its so sad for a place with so much potential.
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quote:
Originally posted by Sleuth
This increasing trend in break ins really depresses me. One of the many things I hate about Spain is virtually every property`s windows have bars on them on the ground floor and first floor.. It must be like looking through prison bars all the time.
Luckily we have not had any break ins on our complex...yet... The moment that happens , if it happens.. I cant live with `iron bars` I would rather sell up and live in pastures new..Turkey is slowly (quickly even ) getting toooo much like Spain where that type of crime is common. A very ugly trend developing I fear :(
Its funny but to us after going to various parts of the Med ,bars seem the norm to us as per villas and apartments we have stayed in.
I cannot see the problem with bars at all.
The only fixed ones we have are on small windows we hardly look out of and all the rest just roll back and unlock so you hardly know they are there during the day. Ours are painted white so they blend in easily with the general brightness and light colours.
I just cannot understand the objections to bars as the ornate decorative pot bellied ones look really smart and what price security.
Both the apartment above us and next door have had attempted burglaries without bars yet ours with bars is untouched to date(touch wood).I know if they want to they will get in but faced with a choice of just (a) breaking a window or (b) sawing through metal with the time involved, the choice would be obvious.
We have always expected villas and apartments with bars in the Med regions as the norm and are very happy that they add character to a home,particularly the modern types.
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Sleuth- where would you move on to. I would be interested to know where there is in the world that doesn't suffer from crimes like this. The problem is that the crime comes from the influx of foreign money. Property owned by foreigners sitting empty for a large part of the year is a great temptation, that coupled with large numbers of migrant workers helping to develop these places. I'm not saying the crimes are right - far from it but where can you go where there is none or limited ammounts?
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quote:
Originally posted by Gorgeous_bird
Sleuth- where would you move on to. I would be interested to know where there is in the world that doesn't suffer from crimes like this. The problem is that the crime comes from the influx of foreign money. Property owned by foreigners sitting empty for a large part of the year is a great temptation, that coupled with large numbers of migrant workers helping to develop these places. I'm not saying the crimes are right - far from it but where can you go where there is none or limited ammounts?
ABSOLUTELY!!
From autoroute muggings in the South of France to child abduction in Portugal to break ins in Greece etc etc etc.
Where do you go???
Bite the bullet,spend a few hundred quid on security bars and worry about it if and when it happens!
You cant go through life worrying yourself sick about what MIGHT happen because quite frankly if you did that these days your life would be eternally miserable.
If thats not possible sell up and forget about owning a place abroad ANYWHERE!!
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Why does everyone assume that everywhere in Turkey is the same as Calis & surrounding areas?
We have a property in Turkey where we have lived for 3 years permantly and as yet haven't heard of one break-in.
We have a neighbour ( Turkish ) who, whenever we are away keeps an eye on our house & will not let anyone through our gate if we are not in.
One time when returning from England, we arrived at 5am & went straight to bed. When friends came round to see us, she informed them that as we were in bed not to disturb us. Where we live IS Turkey.
p.s. there are very few housess with bars at their windows here, there really is no need for them.
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It would be interesting to know if people who own or have had both properties in the UK and in Turkey if they have had a break in in either. I would bet there are more break ins in the UK than Turkey. Scunner - how about a poll?
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quote:
Originally posted by Gorgeous_bird
Sleuth- where would you move on to. I would be interested to know where there is in the world that doesn't suffer from crimes like this. The problem is that the crime comes from the influx of foreign money. Property owned by foreigners sitting empty for a large part of the year is a great temptation, that coupled with large numbers of migrant workers helping to develop these places. I'm not saying the crimes are right - far from it but where can you go where there is none or limited ammounts?
The other thing you rightly mention is properties sitting empty for large parts of the year.This will obviously attract the squatter types who move in but its extremely unlikely that this would be possible on a complex where everyone knows each other and it gets noticed quickly.
Furthermore surely burglars are more after cash,credit cards,valuables etc etc and when most apartments are left empty its of no interest because there is only furniture and fixtures there apart from the odd tv and video.
The main interest for burglars is when its occupied but perhaps the occupants are out as its then that there could be cash and valuables around.
Why break into an empty place just to get furniture,beds and the odd tv and why risk getting caught sawing the bars for a wardrobe!
Very often when you hear of these break ins its "left a key under the mat" or "forgot to use the safe" or " we have no neighbours close by" .
Get bars, take all valuables home with you each year,dont leave a key anywhere or let ANYBODY stay there temporarily and let your neighbours be as nosey as they like and give them your contact details for quick access.
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Blether I don't see anyone 'assuming' all areas of Turkey are the same. However I do aggree that on the whole it seems to be getting worse. Four years ago, when we bought in Calis, it seemed like a place forgotton by time and I do not recall any break - ins from that period. How things can change in a few years!
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Some of you are right...if we were burgled or trashed god forbid,initially we would feel we would want to get the hell out of there, but at the end of the day, we love Turkey... we would not sell up and move... we have a place at the edge of Hisaronu and love it too much.. we are part of a small complex but are a little vulnerable at the rear of our duplex... We are going to approach Hanel Homes in September next time we are over there and ask them what is the best / top burglar / security alarms on the market ? but sorry folks, bars on windows,we couldnt live with that personally.
Yes your right Stoop, 4 years ago was soooo different to todays `Turkey` as I said in my previous text, a worrying ugly trend :(
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Why are you going to approach a house builder for advice on security alarms?
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quote:
Originally posted by Sleuth
This increasing trend in break ins really depresses me. One of the many things I hate about Spain is virtually every property`s windows have bars on them on the ground floor and first floor.. It must be like looking through prison bars all the time.
Luckily we have not had any break ins on our complex...yet... The moment that happens , if it happens.. I cant live with `iron bars` I would rather sell up and live in pastures new..Turkey is slowly (quickly even ) getting toooo much like Spain where that type of crime is common. A very ugly trend developing I fear :(
Now that we have established that if you were burgled you wouldn't move on but that you would rather protect your property I would suggest approaching an alarm specialist about alarms, they will be able to look at your property from a professional point of view, taking into account knowledge of how these breakins are conducted and offering advice on the correct route to take. It sounds like telsoo has things covered with the bars, it sounds like they role out of the way whilst you are at home saving you looking through the "prison window". If you have nearly as many power cuts as we do in GV you will need a hefty battery attached to the security system not to mention the worry if it goes off whilst you are in the UK. God forbid that any one has to go through such awful and stressful times with a breakin.
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thanks for info... was just going to ask our friends at Hanel for advice.. as we would not know where to begin looking.
Understand your comments about `what if the alarm goes off when we arent there ?` we may be lucky though as we have a 24 hour 7 days a week live in caretaker... so here`s hoping it may never happen
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Dave,
If the alarm goes off they scarper at 100 mph, the one that set mine off did 100m from ours to the end of our street in the time I did the 2m to the bedroom window :)
It is a good deterrent. Certainly 1000x better than no alarm.
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Info taken on board Keith thanks :)
yep, security alarms definately on our shopping list come September [^]
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When the bars are something you roll back from the french windows and balconies every morning when you get up and close when you go to sleep at night I cannot understand Sleuth when he says like living in a prison. They are only fixed on small windows that you rarely look out of and when rolled back on the rest its like a patio door pushed back so doesnt obliterate any view at all.
I think those who wont have bars should visit a place with roll back ornate bars and try to rid themselves of this "prison" image.
Going to the expense of a full security alarm with the regularity of power cuts and problems with electrics in general in Turkey seems a little bizarre when at night none of the windows are protected by bars and the place is open to anything.
Each roll bar has its own lock and the security at night and when out is great.
If bars are odd in Turkey why do so many Turkish houses have them fitted. I do say that if you do what the Turks do as regards security you wont go far wrong and do you see their places with flashing alarms and laser beams everywhere?
From where we have visited in France,Italy,Greece etc shutters,bars etc are the norm and part of the Mediterranean culture so cannot understand the problem.
I dont think you can necessarily bring Western security ideas and adapt them that easily into a Mediterranean way of life.
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Well I have to disagree :)
I'm with Sleuth - every customer wants great views and looking out a barred window to me is just like prison. There are burglaries in the UK, how many UK based members have bars on their homes?
Most alarms work for hours and hours on a rechargable battery backup, by the way.
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quote:
Originally posted by Sleuth
thanks for info... was just going to ask our friends at Hanel for advice.. as we would not know where to begin looking.
Understand your comments about `what if the alarm goes off when we arent there ?` we may be lucky though as we have a 24 hour 7 days a week live in caretaker... so here`s hoping it may never happen
The question re alarms going off whilst in the UK is a valid point.
We too have a 24 hr 7 day security/caretaker who is excellent but he is just being asked of too much!!
He is expected to sort out problems ,mow lawns,clean pools etc by day and patrol all night as security and its too much to work 20 hrs a day permanently.
When we bought we were told all about the security as a sales pitch but if its just one poor man doing it all and getting 4 hrs sleep every morning from 5am to 9am its not security really.
Look after your own place but as always the best security is neighbours close by with your UK contact phone numbers,emails etc etc.
I think you are more likely to be burgled while you are there but out temporarily than if its empty for months.
If there is just furniture,beds and cutlery like ours and NO valuables what would they take and is it worth the risk?
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quote:
Originally posted by Scunner
Well I have to disagree :)
I'm with Sleuth - every customer wants great views and looking out a barred window to me is just like prison. There are burglaries in the UK, how many UK based members have bars on their homes?
Most alarms work for hours and hours on a rechargable battery backup, by the way.
I have to accept your point about battery back up .
All I meant is that the windows you actually look out of dont have fixed bars during your time awake so unless you are up at night looking out,you dont notice them!
Are you saying them that you wouldnt have shutters in France because your view may be obstructed in hot weather?
I am just saying that its very much a Mediterranean thing and of course you wouldnt expect a similar culture in the UK. We have been to numerous villas which had shutters and bars in other places but the way they open its no way "prison like" and I dont think people should be put off this extra security just by a few isolated comments.
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In Leeds they have iron 'gates' over their front doors in places and shutters on the windows!
We have a wireless, romote controlled alam from B&Q and the bell is powered by a rechargeable battery which I am told will sound the siren for quite a few hours. It re-sets every 20 mins anyway and so saves power.
If you want to go really high-tech I think you can now get alarms that can be cotrolled by your mobile phone from anywhere in the world you can get a signal!