Points from Previous Minutes:

RICH BITCH : Put on hold. Decided to delay until 19 or 20 September 2003. Names of interested parties to David Walker.

MEDIEVAL NIGHT : No interest and Denise has had difficulty contacting the venue. Closed.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD : Once in situ, NHW are permitted to display meeting Minutes and other important information.

1.

19.06.03 - Minutes:

Following a respite from crime on the urbanization, the thieves are back with a vengeance .

6 house break-ins and a large number of handbag snatches have been reported since the last meeting, and we are aware of a number of unreported break-ins/snatches. Atlas, Masa, etc., have ceased to introduce new ‘movers-in’ to NHW Chairman/Co-ordinators, and it was stressed that all residents should advise new-comers of the problems and the necessity of grills, alarms, vigilance at all times inside and outside of houses and warn ladies of the danger of carrying handbags/shoulder bags, and even ‘bum’-bags (both sexes).

It is important to report every suspicion to NHW co-ordinators (NOT direct to the Chairman). Denuncia forms are available, easy to complete and acceptable to the Police at Orihuela Costa. David will pick up a batch of new forms in numerous languages as soon as possible.

Many new residents are purchasing safes to be of any use, they MUST be cemented into the floor, as the floors are not sturdy enough for merely bolting down safes.

2.

New co-ordinators are desperately needed for the new phase. Please advise David of anyone expressing interest in taking on this role.

3.

Chains have been ordered for side roads. Permanent residents will have to be vigilant and replace any chains left down by tradesmen or holiday-makers.

4.

A discussion took place on the function of NHW. Many residents do not understand that NHW is not a vigilante group. Any suggestion of vigilante activity would result in the Police withdrawing their support. It is not the responsibility of committee members to police the estate, but to gather information on crime/suspicious circumstances/suspicious vehicles and people, and to report it by fax to the Police. The co-ordinators will also help people with completion of report forms, but it is every householder’s responsibility to complete these reports themselves. It is then the job of the Police to follow up these reports.

On the subject of denouncing a person (whether it be a thief, or a neighbour causing problems) only the person affected by the crime/problem can make the denuncia. A neighbour witnessing a break-in to another property cannot make the denuncia. It has to be the householder him/herself.

5.

It was considered necessary to reiterate the necessity of people to sign on the Padron at the Town Hall. This is a necessity for all householders, whether permanent or not. The number of people signed onto the Padron dictates the number of Police in the area, the provision of deliveries of post to the urbanization, etc..

6.

Several reports of a man in a silver VW Golf stopping people and asking for 1 € for the telephone, and also a man in a black VW Golf asking for 2 € have been received. As with so-called charity workers going from house to house, the answer should always be NO, and your neighbours/co-ordinators should be informed of these occurrences.

7.

During May, 29 new members joined the NHW scheme.