The previous Minutes were agreed, and David provided feedback from his meeting with the Chief of Police and the Mayor of Orihuela on Thursday, 20 March 2003.

The new Denuncia forms are currently being produced/printed and will be distributed as soon as available. If anyone has any problems, eg: bins, post, etc., these can also be aired at David’s meetings with the CofP and the Mayor, so please let David know.

The 10 trainee police recruits should be in situ in about 2 months time but one of them was called to a break-in at the house of an old lady, alone, and stayed with her until the house was secured and he was satisfied that she was OK to be left.

With regard to putting actual registration numbers of suspect cars/motor cycles on our notice board, this is illegal, so word of mouth via co-ordinators is our best way.

When non-residents return home from the urbanisation they should be encouraged to leave a contact telephone number with a resident neighbour/co-ordinator. In the event of a break-in, they can then be advised and can deal direct with their Insurers to get their house secured.

David advised that Atlas, Masa, etc., are now contacting him when new residents are moving in, so that we can advise them of the problems, and suggest that they do not move in without grills, alarms, window and door locks; also, recommend exchange of door barrel locks. Particular emphasis should be made on the current spate of bag-snatches, advising ladies not to carry hand/shoulder bags.

Pat Hooton advised that a red moped with a Moroccan-looking rider has been frequently seen on the urbanisation. Mid 50-ish and usually carrying a white bag, he is obviously not a workman but is seen around quite often. The registration number is C8718BMC.

A black VW Golf with black windows also appears frequently, for no obvious purpose – registration number required.

A white Orion has also been seen in the areas where bag-snatches have been reported.

Occurrences since last meeting = 10

1 Attempted assault NOTE: We know that a number of bag-snatches

1 House break-in have taken place (possibly 2?) but these

1 House robbery have not been reported to NHW.

2 Items found

5 Observations

Details of income from the Valencia trip and the current balance of funds follow:

Valencia Fallas trip (10% of 55 x 19€) 104.50€

Balance for month 526.33€

Expenditure (stationery, wallets, printing) 109.82€

A total of 160 residents have joined NHW as at 31 March 2003.

Two Samsung Fax machines (appx. 210€ each) are currently on order and will be placed with co-ordinators, where required.

2 men have been calling at houses saying they are there to check gas/electricity/water and charging the householders for their ‘services’. The providers of these utilities ALWAYS make appointments if they need to gain access to properties. Also, ‘charity workers’ supposedly collecting for registered charities are more than likely bogus, as registered charities usually have donations made through bank accounts and do not need to go from door to door.

It was suggested that co-ordinators meet perhaps once a month, with a full NHW committee meeting every quarter. However, it was felt that the full committee should continue to meet monthly for the time being.

As a point of interest, David advised that the residents of Phase 1 were getting together on Thursday to compile a list of questions to put to the Administrator at the meeting to form a Residents Committee, and suggested that the other Phases might also like to do the same.