By ELOISE WALTON [email protected]
A British man was violently robbed in Vilamoura in the early hours of November 22, just days after several Algarve mayors appealed to the government for more security for foreign visitors in the region.
The 48-year old was attacked at around 3.15am along Caminho das Andorinhas as he was walking home, sustaining injuries which required treatment at a Lisbon hospital.
A spokesman for Faro hospital told the Algarve Resident: “The man was treated for facial injuries here before being transferred to São José hospital in Lisbon for surgery.”
The spokesman added that the man returned to Faro hospital before being discharged on Monday.
A GNR spokesman said that 600 euros in cash was taken by the robbers, as well as a watch and a mobile telephone.
“The GNR is investigating the case and attempting to identify the individuals who carried out the robbery,” said the spokesman.
In a separate incident, Richard Edwards, a British homeowner from Montinhos da Luz, Lagos, was robbed while he slept in his home earlier this month.
“I came to the Algarve this month to close up my property for the winter and was asleep in the house alone, having locked all of the windows and doors, when I awoke around 5.50am to find a man just six feet away from me,” he said.
Richard Edwards said he screamed before trying to run after the burglar, but did not catch him.
“He had broken the lock on the kitchen window to enter and had prepared his exit by unlocking the front door from the inside,” he said.
“He stole my laptop and case, a portable hard drive, a camera, a watch, my wallet and documents.”
Richard Edwards contacted the local GNR, who arrived within 40 minutes and also sent a forensics technician to finger print the house.
“I was happy with the GNR’s reaction,” he said. “I am not prepared to let this change my life but I am worried for my children. This seems to be a more common occurrence.”
In response to growing media coverage of crime in the Algarve, Portimão Câmara Mayor Manuel da Luz proposed the creation of a specialised police branch for the tourism industry, as well as requesting more police in the council, during a meeting with the deputy secretary of state of internal affairs, José Rodrigues, on November 18.
According to a statement from Portimão Câmara, “the proposals presented by Manuel da Luz were well received by the government representative.”
In statements to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, Albufeira Mayor Desidério Silva and Loulé Mayor Serúca Emidio said that they agreed with the idea of a special police force across the region.
Meanwhile, during a press conference held at Albufeira GNR station on Tuesday afternoon, it was confirmed by police that three men of Algerian nationality were arrested for the suspected robbery of hotels and villas in the Algarve.
The men were arrested by Albufeira GNR following a robbery at a villa on November 22 where around 35,000 euros worth of money and gold was stolen.
They are suspected of belonging to a gang of around eight or nine people who have allegedly robbed banks and armoured vehicles, sending money and items to Spain.
GNR spokesman Marco Henriques said that the three men confessed to “travelling to Spain and Lisbon”.
During the press conference, it was revealed that the GNR seized 35,000 euros in cash, 11 watches, 86 pieces of gold and silver at the property where they arrested the three men, who had packed their bags ready to leave.
Do you have a view on this story? Email us at [email protected]
1″>news
