A vigilante group in Pinar de Campoverde, a popular British expat area in Spain, has risen to take action in response to rising home burglary cases in the area.

The local vigilante group under the name “Theft Alert Group” was formed by Pinar de Campoverde residents who claimed that police were not arriving on time for the crimes. 

Volunteers from the group actively patrol the area and promptly report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Every time a possible intruder is spotted, volunteers will receive notifications. After contacting Policia Local and Guardia Civil, the group will go to the reported area. 

Several individuals reportedly armed themselves with baseball bats and golf clubs in response to three attempted incidents triggered by security alarms last Friday alone, aiming to thwart the suspected perpetrators.

As of present, residents in the Pinar de Campoverde Vecinos said they have around 500 members in the “Theft Alert Group.” 

Reports from residents disclosed that the perpetrators are often clad in balaclavas, dark clothing, and gloves. The thieves target homes during a time when the house is vacant, usually when the residents are out doing routine activities such as shopping or heading out for dinner.

Calls for police action

Pinar de Campoverde, located approximately seven kilometres from Pilar de la Horadada, is a residential complex with over 3,000 registered residents. The average cost of living in Pinar de Campoverde is relatively affordable compared to nearby coastal resorts.

Even so, the rising number of home burglaries has prompted both fear and anger in the hearts of its residents. Over 300 residents gathered for an open-air meeting on Sunday, demanding action from the Pilareño Council and the Civil Guard in the face of ongoing robberies plaguing their homes for “many weeks.”

One of the homeowners in the area, Sara Nenarejos Carillo, has initiated a petition demanding increased police patrols. She cited the ineffectiveness of current response times and highlighted how property owners are growing frustrated with the escalating situation. According to Carillo, there have been at least 30 robberies in the last months or so, “with up to four in one night.” 

Another resident expressed the profound “feeling of insecurity and fear in the neighbourhood.” The residents also made clear their outrage, which has led a group of neighbours to not only contact the police but also initiate patrols, particularly when alarms sound.

Furthermore, a spokeswoman clarified that numerous elderly residents live alone in the area. Most houses, detached with plots backing onto watercourses and the Río Seco dry riverbed, have also witnessed thieves moving around with torches.

Despite placing complete trust in police action, residents also underlined their unwillingness to sit idly and wait for potential intruders. According to the residents, they are all “willing to tackle the thieves themselves, if necessary.”

At the gathering, calls were made for Security Councilor Marina Sáez and Pilar de la Horadada’s Local Police Chief Jesús Torres to address the situation by allocating more police resources.

Responding to the residents’ anger, Saez assured that there were ongoing investigations and called for patience and calm. Saez also urged residents to stay calm and “allow police to do their job,” adding that she does not encourage vigilante patrols.

“We are following several lines of inquiries that will hopefully bear fruit as soon as possible,” Saez said. 

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