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I live in a classic old building in the smart centre of Barcelona. I don’t live in an edgy part of town like the Raval, let alone on a deprived council estate.
This morning we woke up to find that someone had stolen the doors to the lift in our building. These doors were 100 years old, but just wood and a bit of glass, not ebony and gold or anything. They are obviously valuable to this building, as without doors the lift doesn’t work, but I can’t imagine they are of much value to anyone else – perhaps a few Euros as scrap. Over the last couple of years other bits and pieces have been stolen from the stairwell, but the bleeding lift doors!!!!
It’s very depressing. I somethimes feel like we are heading towards a society in which we are prisoners in our own homes, and everything in public spaces gets vandalised or stripped bare unless it is guarded 24 hours a day. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will rip out everything and anything, no matter how worthless it seems to be. I presume I’m not the only person to experience this sort of thing.
Mark
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It’s everywhere now Mark. It’s been many years now since even the churches have to lock their doors. But lift doors?!! 🙄 Just shows everything has a price…….
Just last week The Times reported what is happening in Rome because of those with no conscience.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article3681243.ece -
It’s everywhere now Mark. It’s been many years now since even the churches have to lock their doors. But lift doors?!! 🙄 Just shows everything has a price…….
Just last week The Times reported what is happening in Rome because of those with no conscience.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article3681243.ece -
mark wrote:It doesn’t matter where you live, they will rip out everything and anything, no matter how worthless it seems to be. I presume I’m not the only person to experience this sort of thing.
I live in a quiet and safe area.
Last week they broke the windows of all Ford Focus cars and stole their stereos.
Yesterday somebody stole all the nice flowers (inclusing roots) from everybody’s front gardens.
So yes, the thieves are now taking everything they can.
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mark wrote:It doesn’t matter where you live, they will rip out everything and anything, no matter how worthless it seems to be. I presume I’m not the only person to experience this sort of thing.
I live in a quiet and safe area.
Last week they broke the windows of all Ford Focus cars and stole their stereos.
Yesterday somebody stole all the nice flowers (inclusing roots) from everybody’s front gardens.
So yes, the thieves are now taking everything they can.
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Mark: sorry to hear your door being stolen. Indeed it must have been part and parcel of the character of the building. While not justifying. what is the saying one mans rubbish is another mans …………………………..
Sorry,to depress you further. We are not heading. We are already there. Obviously every society has it causes & reasons. I see a few things common.
1) The haves & have not’s As a child I was always told if I need something in life I need to work towards achieving it. I was fortunate enough to be provided with the opportunity, not only by way of education by my family further by the system, the society had a provided. A system which was established with sincerity and with a vision for a fair society and not with political spin for short term personal goals.
2) Lack of respect/fear of elders & authority.
3) Lack of effective policing. My car was stolen from my under ground car park. A duplicate key was made after presentation of false documents. When, I spoke to the police the first question was was there a CCTV, As there was not one, they the police were not interested. I did remind that them that Sherlock Holmes did not have the benefit of a CCTV and besides the camera could be covered or cables snapped off. I asked the police that did they contact the new registered keeper on the false documents. They said yes they did and the letter was returned marked “gone away”. I even suggested the person who could be involved in it. they were not interested.
4) Public figures not setting an example. Without naming them, these are people who are well established in UK or Spain.
Sorry if this is turning into rant.
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Mark: sorry to hear your door being stolen. Indeed it must have been part and parcel of the character of the building. While not justifying. what is the saying one mans rubbish is another mans …………………………..
Sorry,to depress you further. We are not heading. We are already there. Obviously every society has it causes & reasons. I see a few things common.
1) The haves & have not’s As a child I was always told if I need something in life I need to work towards achieving it. I was fortunate enough to be provided with the opportunity, not only by way of education by my family further by the system, the society had a provided. A system which was established with sincerity and with a vision for a fair society and not with political spin for short term personal goals.
2) Lack of respect/fear of elders & authority.
3) Lack of effective policing. My car was stolen from my under ground car park. A duplicate key was made after presentation of false documents. When, I spoke to the police the first question was was there a CCTV, As there was not one, they the police were not interested. I did remind that them that Sherlock Holmes did not have the benefit of a CCTV and besides the camera could be covered or cables snapped off. I asked the police that did they contact the new registered keeper on the false documents. They said yes they did and the letter was returned marked “gone away”. I even suggested the person who could be involved in it. they were not interested.
4) Public figures not setting an example. Without naming them, these are people who are well established in UK or Spain.
Sorry if this is turning into rant.
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I also think this is indicative of the current fiancial problems. I have noticed here how little things like graffitti are increasing, petty crime is on the increase and we are looking to move house and are ensuring we have secure parking for the vehicles – even though mines an old banger- as I do think as money becomes tight, this will get worse!
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I also think this is indicative of the current fiancial problems. I have noticed here how little things like graffitti are increasing, petty crime is on the increase and we are looking to move house and are ensuring we have secure parking for the vehicles – even though mines an old banger- as I do think as money becomes tight, this will get worse!
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These things severely interfere with the enjoyment of life; sorry to hear your news Mark.
I live in the West Country – lovely quiet place, but have started to notice graffiti appearing.We are the only generation that allows young males (and increasingly females) to run around being aggressive, yet we think we are so clever and that our softly-softly approach will reduce the amount of violence, theft etc in society. Actually, it seems to have the opposite effect. A bit of a paradox really! People are feeling prisoners in their own homes and developing a fortress mentality. We just need to get tougher! Give the young thugs a bit of their own medicine.
How have we got ourselves in this position?………..probably best to ask the legal profession.
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These things severely interfere with the enjoyment of life; sorry to hear your news Mark.
I live in the West Country – lovely quiet place, but have started to notice graffiti appearing.We are the only generation that allows young males (and increasingly females) to run around being aggressive, yet we think we are so clever and that our softly-softly approach will reduce the amount of violence, theft etc in society. Actually, it seems to have the opposite effect. A bit of a paradox really! People are feeling prisoners in their own homes and developing a fortress mentality. We just need to get tougher! Give the young thugs a bit of their own medicine.
How have we got ourselves in this position?………..probably best to ask the legal profession.
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@maximus wrote:
How have we got ourselves in this position?………
Too much pc, no real consequences pertinent to behaviour/crime and the breakdown of families where there are no role models.
Agree with you Maximus, it’s all sadly affecting the enjoyment of life for many people and believe if nothing is done about it soon, there will be those who will start taking the law into their own hands. People have really had enough of all this so-called liberalism.
Personally I’m sick to death of hearing about the ‘Human Rights’ of those who commit this chaos. I just wish the human rights of the average law-abiding citizen was given greater consideration, the right to be able to live in a safe society.
As for Nigerian women buying babies for £150, then coming to England and going straight from the airport to the council demanding a home and benefits for her and ‘her baby’…….no comment. Tin hat time I suppose.
But ‘society’ has been broken, and it desperately needs fixing. -
@maximus wrote:
How have we got ourselves in this position?………
Too much pc, no real consequences pertinent to behaviour/crime and the breakdown of families where there are no role models.
Agree with you Maximus, it’s all sadly affecting the enjoyment of life for many people and believe if nothing is done about it soon, there will be those who will start taking the law into their own hands. People have really had enough of all this so-called liberalism.
Personally I’m sick to death of hearing about the ‘Human Rights’ of those who commit this chaos. I just wish the human rights of the average law-abiding citizen was given greater consideration, the right to be able to live in a safe society.
As for Nigerian women buying babies for £150, then coming to England and going straight from the airport to the council demanding a home and benefits for her and ‘her baby’…….no comment. Tin hat time I suppose.
But ‘society’ has been broken, and it desperately needs fixing. -
Inez: not to frighten you. It is easy to break into a banger and yes they have value as well.
I am pleased that no one has raised the issue of “foreigners” are to be blamed. As, I feel the victim looks at the loss of his/her property and he/she is not concerned as to who did it.
If, a tourist is robbed and mugged in say London/Paris/Madrid and upon their return to their respective Countries they speak about the theft as part of the holiday experience and not what nationality robbed them.
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Inez: not to frighten you. It is easy to break into a banger and yes they have value as well.
I am pleased that no one has raised the issue of “foreigners” are to be blamed. As, I feel the victim looks at the loss of his/her property and he/she is not concerned as to who did it.
If, a tourist is robbed and mugged in say London/Paris/Madrid and upon their return to their respective Countries they speak about the theft as part of the holiday experience and not what nationality robbed them.
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Yes I know – its not the breaking in, its the lack of respect period.
When I first came to Spain there was petty crime – tended to be the local gyspies who wold take whatever you left out in the frint garden (in my case the kids bikes!!! They left them outside and they were taken)
But I used to leave the hood down on my car then (12 years ago) all summer as I do now and would park anywhere – nothing got touched from change to whatever and nothing much has happened since, but its the feeling of having to be aware now thats around.
Shops are noticing petty crime up – shopl;ifting etc and if the tourists arent here this year for the pickpockets, then what will these people do? Rob where they can
Drugs will become more rife and so it will go on
Such a shame and yes the pc brigade have gone too far. I left the uk after feeling unsafe there – I was threatened by a bunch of 10 year olds whilst sitting in my car in broad daylight. Luckily I had my doors locked as they tried to get in! The childrens father was threatened by a yob while taking our kids to the swings and I would never let the kids play out in the front garden or walk more than 2 feet away from me in the streets in case they were abducted. Not a way tolive and whilst its a very very long way away from that now here, I do hope and pray it wont get that bad
Hopefully the Spanish government whilst being socialists, will NOT give out freebies to encourage the lazy swines and takers that have contributed to ruining a great country like England. Whilst its hard here and will get a lot harder yet, there is still so much to offer the hard worker and grafter.
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Yes I know – its not the breaking in, its the lack of respect period.
When I first came to Spain there was petty crime – tended to be the local gyspies who wold take whatever you left out in the frint garden (in my case the kids bikes!!! They left them outside and they were taken)
But I used to leave the hood down on my car then (12 years ago) all summer as I do now and would park anywhere – nothing got touched from change to whatever and nothing much has happened since, but its the feeling of having to be aware now thats around.
Shops are noticing petty crime up – shopl;ifting etc and if the tourists arent here this year for the pickpockets, then what will these people do? Rob where they can
Drugs will become more rife and so it will go on
Such a shame and yes the pc brigade have gone too far. I left the uk after feeling unsafe there – I was threatened by a bunch of 10 year olds whilst sitting in my car in broad daylight. Luckily I had my doors locked as they tried to get in! The childrens father was threatened by a yob while taking our kids to the swings and I would never let the kids play out in the front garden or walk more than 2 feet away from me in the streets in case they were abducted. Not a way tolive and whilst its a very very long way away from that now here, I do hope and pray it wont get that bad
Hopefully the Spanish government whilst being socialists, will NOT give out freebies to encourage the lazy swines and takers that have contributed to ruining a great country like England. Whilst its hard here and will get a lot harder yet, there is still so much to offer the hard worker and grafter.
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Mark,
I’m sorry to read about your experience however this type of behaviour is rampant throughout Spain. You should consider yourself fortunate (difficult, i know) that it was a communal door that was the focus of attention and not the door to your home!
During a previous stay in Spain, i stayed in a villa with my wife; we were in the grounds of the property when it was broken into and many of its contents (and personal items) were stolen.
Whilst i accept that taking an external door may seem extreme if not pointless, i too considered that breaking and entering when the residents are actually in the preoperty surprising.
However, we spoke with many locals after the incident and every person had a story to tell. It would appear that this problem is widespread and that those undertaking the thefts have no respect (or fear) for those involved or the law that they are breaking.
Its a reminder that we must always be vigilant – even more so when close to / or in our homes.
Regards
M -
Mark,
I’m sorry to read about your experience however this type of behaviour is rampant throughout Spain. You should consider yourself fortunate (difficult, i know) that it was a communal door that was the focus of attention and not the door to your home!
During a previous stay in Spain, i stayed in a villa with my wife; we were in the grounds of the property when it was broken into and many of its contents (and personal items) were stolen.
Whilst i accept that taking an external door may seem extreme if not pointless, i too considered that breaking and entering when the residents are actually in the preoperty surprising.
However, we spoke with many locals after the incident and every person had a story to tell. It would appear that this problem is widespread and that those undertaking the thefts have no respect (or fear) for those involved or the law that they are breaking.
Its a reminder that we must always be vigilant – even more so when close to / or in our homes.
Regards
M -
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I had an email from my friend in Co. Durham last weekend. His factory is in Tony Blairs´ constituency.
He supplies leather clothing to the retail industry, imports from Italy etc.
He has had 3 robberies this year. He decided to sleep in his premises as he can no longer get insurance.
His family are in farming locally, so he took a shotgun with him.
At 2am last Sunday a van burst through his doors and 5 guys in masks got out, when he challenged them, the ringleader said, if he shot them he would go to prison for life and never see his family again.
He contemplated the thought whilst the robbers packet everything of value into their van as bold as brass.
My friend had to let them go. He then called the police and gave them details of the vehicle and people. 2 days later on the Tuesday the police arrived to take fingerprints even though the robbers wore gloves.
The police said they probably won´t track the vehicle as it appeared to have stolen number plates.
He asked the detective why they didn´t cut the van off as soon as he telephoned in the direction it was going on the A19, the detective said they had more important things to do and suggested he get insurance.
We need a new political party with emphasis on law and order and protection for hard working citizens and a little less on throwing litter from the car window and rescuing minor banking institutions at a cost of 26bn GBP!!
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I had an email from my friend in Co. Durham last weekend. His factory is in Tony Blairs´ constituency.
He supplies leather clothing to the retail industry, imports from Italy etc.
He has had 3 robberies this year. He decided to sleep in his premises as he can no longer get insurance.
His family are in farming locally, so he took a shotgun with him.
At 2am last Sunday a van burst through his doors and 5 guys in masks got out, when he challenged them, the ringleader said, if he shot them he would go to prison for life and never see his family again.
He contemplated the thought whilst the robbers packet everything of value into their van as bold as brass.
My friend had to let them go. He then called the police and gave them details of the vehicle and people. 2 days later on the Tuesday the police arrived to take fingerprints even though the robbers wore gloves.
The police said they probably won´t track the vehicle as it appeared to have stolen number plates.
He asked the detective why they didn´t cut the van off as soon as he telephoned in the direction it was going on the A19, the detective said they had more important things to do and suggested he get insurance.
We need a new political party with emphasis on law and order and protection for hard working citizens and a little less on throwing litter from the car window and rescuing minor banking institutions at a cost of 26bn GBP!!
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I would have put the gun down and walked up to the ring-leader and given him a ‘snap-kick-double punch’. The others would run over ,so you swing on the chandelier and grip one with your legs and throw into the wall. You then run up the wall with a frozzbie-flip and take out the third. The other two are getting worried, so you run up the stars and launch yourself down the banisters landing a heavy boot into the fourth. The fifth tries to get the van going – but Claire has sensibly shot the tyres out!. You then walk them down to the local police station and hand them over. Job done. Easy. 8)
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I would have put the gun down and walked up to the ring-leader and given him a ‘snap-kick-double punch’. The others would run over ,so you swing on the chandelier and grip one with your legs and throw into the wall. You then run up the wall with a frozzbie-flip and take out the third. The other two are getting worried, so you run up the stars and launch yourself down the banisters landing a heavy boot into the fourth. The fifth tries to get the van going – but Claire has sensibly shot the tyres out!. You then walk them down to the local police station and hand them over. Job done. Easy. 8)
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“Just goes to show that 24 hour gated security developments have a future, wherever they are.”
Mark, sorry but the gated security staff and or the service providers are the ones to worry about in the case of gated securities.
Petergood: Yes that sounds like the police. Remember “tough on crime & tough on causes” If they put the police on commission, the attitude will change. The collection of £ 26 for litter etc is nothing more than extracting money out of citizens. The only difference is that these bodies are extracting money, without physical violence.
I am still fighting a parking fine after 30 months. I had to provide sworn affidavit in my defence. Yes all for £36.00
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“Just goes to show that 24 hour gated security developments have a future, wherever they are.”
Mark, sorry but the gated security staff and or the service providers are the ones to worry about in the case of gated securities.
Petergood: Yes that sounds like the police. Remember “tough on crime & tough on causes” If they put the police on commission, the attitude will change. The collection of £ 26 for litter etc is nothing more than extracting money out of citizens. The only difference is that these bodies are extracting money, without physical violence.
I am still fighting a parking fine after 30 months. I had to provide sworn affidavit in my defence. Yes all for £36.00
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@maximus wrote:
I would have put the gun down and walked up to the ring-leader and given him a ‘snap-kick-double punch’. The others would run over ,so you swing on the chandelier and grip one with your legs and throw into the wall. You then run up the wall with a frozzbie-flip and take out the third. The other two are getting worried, so you run up the stars and launch yourself down the banisters landing a heavy boot into the fourth. The fifth tries to get the van going – but Claire has sensibly shot the tyres out!. You then walk them down to the local police station and hand them over. Job done. Easy. 8)
Maximus I think you are playing too often with your Tomb Raider 4 😀
Apparently it is an offence to discharge a fire arm in public and an even more serious one to point it at a member of the public and robbers count as the public.
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@maximus wrote:
I would have put the gun down and walked up to the ring-leader and given him a ‘snap-kick-double punch’. The others would run over ,so you swing on the chandelier and grip one with your legs and throw into the wall. You then run up the wall with a frozzbie-flip and take out the third. The other two are getting worried, so you run up the stars and launch yourself down the banisters landing a heavy boot into the fourth. The fifth tries to get the van going – but Claire has sensibly shot the tyres out!. You then walk them down to the local police station and hand them over. Job done. Easy. 8)
Maximus I think you are playing too often with your Tomb Raider 4 😀
Apparently it is an offence to discharge a fire arm in public and an even more serious one to point it at a member of the public and robbers count as the public.
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