My dog scared someone away last night, maybe burglars

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
17/08/2010 20:41

My wonderful and beautiful dog started barking around 2.15 am last last, he lives outside, that's what he is used to.

He has never barked before during the night, but will bark at people during the day who pass the property, if he does not know them.

I got out of bed and a put all the external lights on and saw what I think was some people walking away across the field which surrounds the property.

Luck would have it that I have recently bought a PIR alarm system from Scootex on 44, so even if they had got in they would have had a suprise with the 110 decibel alarm going off.



So take care out there thieves about.



James

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
17/08/2010 21:25

Thanks for the warning James. I have heard that there have been some strange people 'walking' around Ozankoy in the middle of the night of late. The PIR is a great idea, at least you would know if they managed to get in......



I wonder though, who would the most frightened, especially if there a few lads and only one of you.

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
17/08/2010 21:35

I share the house so usually someone else in, also all doors and windows are locked, even in this heat, I now feel more secure with the PIR and of course my dog.



Regards



James

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
17/08/2010 21:55

Snap James,



Also have window, patio door locks, security gate and bars on the liitle window where they got in last time, 3 PIR's, and like you, never leave windows or doors open. Can't have a dog, but I certainly would if I lived there full time.



Pat

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 00:25

James thank god we have these external 4 legged alarms,even the latest one i have Tess barks at any car going down the back of the restaurant.At least you are taking all the necasary steps to protect yourselves. pretty scarry though, hope you are ok x

hal9000


Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 154

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 00:46

Hi James;

Let me see if I've got this right - your dog started barking in the middle of the night; you got up and saw "some people" walking across an adjacent field, so you're saying there are thieves about.

Couldn't they have been perfectly innocent people going home after a night out? Of course your dog will bark at strangers walking past in the dark - it doesn't mean they are thieves! Your dog is just doing its job.

This reminds me of a recent post asking about setting up Neighbourhood Watch in North Cyprus.

We don't need it! The vast majority of Cypriots are extremely trustworthy; you're much safer here than in the UK, so please don't bring UK values - and suspicion - to the TRNC.

Yes, there are occasional break-ins (usually by mainland Turks), but my wife and I can happily and safely walk through the dark, narrow alleys behind Girne harbour at any time of day or night.

This is a safer country to live in than anywhere else I've lived.

Please don't spoil it.

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 01:13

Message 6 - too late - the "witch finders" are up to their usual alarmist nonsense.

Personally I'm so worried I'm thinking of cancelling my holiday for fear of the present crime wave !!??

And the 4 legged alarms mentioned in 5 have ruined many a holiday !!

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 01:24

By all means, have alarms fitted if they give you peace of mind. However, as mentioned in messages 6/7, if every time a bloody dog barks, we think we have burglars, then a lot of us are on the verge of being burgled 24/7!



For goodness sake!

apc2010


Joined: 28/07/2010
Posts: 1689

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 01:42

flip side ... I was walking home after a lovely evening , when a "locked out" dog started to bark at me , I was afraid, ...

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 08:24

Yes, the TRNC is 'safer' than the UK but, there has been a significant increase in the number of burglaries being committed on the island with most villages suffering one or two of late.



James has merely recounted an incident that happened and whilst there may be a reason for people to be walking across a field (rather than down the street) at 2.15 am, it does seem a little suspicious.



His comments are hardly alarmist and forum members can either choose to note the event or dismiss it.



Fact - There are thieves about, just not in the numbers that you might find in other countries.

Fact - They tend to 'target' expat homes because the pickings can be rich and many houses are left empty on a regular occasion.



I also feel extremely safe walking the streets at night and thankfully violent crime is a very rare event here. However, with an almost broken economy and building industry in freefall, many mainlanders/illegals are struggling to find work.



continued....

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 08:27

Just like in many other countries, these are the conditions that can inevitably lead to increases in opportunist criminality like burglary and petty theft.



Alas, I fear that burglary will become a much more common event in the months to come, so taking reasonable security precautions can only be seen as good advice.



Just my opinion of course



Paul

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 08:41

James,

Thanks for that, I trust the instinct of a dog far more than an electronic gadget anyway. Firm believer in the old maxim "Complacency breeds Neglect" and we all get so used to living in a virtualy crime free country that we tend to think that it will never happen to us.



I always find it strange that the rise in burglary increases in direct proportion to the rise in tourists coming for the summer - of course I may just be biased!!

Jefferson


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 08:44

Good balanced post Paul. I am arriving soon and feel aware of the problem but not alarmed. I hope that being one floor up in an 'Australian' Villa may also help me. Will be bringing an alarm though!

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 09:00

Message 6, Yes they could have been innocent people walking home, I merely point out that they may have been burglars.



There has been a few burglaries in Ozankoy and Catalkoy area recently, there was a recent post on 44 about some burglars being caught in Catalkoy and they lived in the village.



You say "yes there are the occasional break ins (mainly by main land Turks) you say that has thought it does'nt matter, what about the victims of these occasional break ins, just because it has not happened to you. Also you say "by mainland Turk's" is that not racist and where do you get your facts from?



Message 7 there has been several break ins in this area, so I do not think I am being a witch finder.



Thanks for your comments

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 09:02

Thank Paul for your well balanced post.



Regards



James

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 11:41

I think that even the dimmest mainland Turk can figure out that there is a lot less hastle picking an empty house rather than an occupied one. There are after all a huge number of empty houses in TRNC for 40+ weeks of the year. Thats the principle which gives me a decent night's sleep.

Ballyboffin


Joined: 25/08/2007
Posts: 903

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 11:59

breezyboy,



It isn't empty houses they target, they are only interested in easily moveable items such as cash, jewellery etc. It is indeed rare for empty houses to be burgled. The worrying trend is that they have no qualms about entering when people are asleep.

apc2010


Joined: 28/07/2010
Posts: 1689

Message Posted:
18/08/2010 12:03

msg 17 ,too true it is hard to hide a flat screen tv walking down the road but a laptop or small items are easy to carry/hide.......