Let鈥檚 set the scene. You鈥檝e packed your towels, grabbed your sunnies and slathered on the factor 50. Maybe there鈥檚 a lilo wedged in the back, a few extra snacks tucked away for later, and you鈥檙e already dreaming of that first, glorious dip in the Med. You pull up to the car park, lock up, and set off- only to return hours later to find your window smashed and your day in tatters.
It鈥檚 enough to put anyone off their ice cream. But, according to Elche鈥檚 own local police, this is a story that plays out all too often on the Costa Blanca during the summer months, especially near popular beaches. And the worst part? Most of these thefts are completely avoidable with just a handful of simple steps.
Why cars near beaches are prime targets
Here鈥檚 the thing: beaches draw crowds鈥攁nd crowds draw opportunists. Police say thieves are keenly aware that beachgoers are often distracted, in holiday mode, and likely to leave things in the car that they wouldn鈥檛 dream of leaving behind in their driveway at home.
The @policiaelche Instagram page recently put out a no-nonsense video with straightforward advice, but let鈥檚 get a bit more real about what actually works鈥攁nd what doesn鈥檛.
The real-world guide to keeping your car (and stuff) safe
Right, let鈥檚 get practical. You might think locking the doors and hiding your handbag under the seat is enough. But ask anyone who鈥檚 ever had their window popped by a pebble or their glove box ransacked: these thieves are quick, clever, and can spot an 鈥渁mateur鈥 a mile off.
If you value it, take it with you
No matter how tempting, don鈥檛 leave your phone, wallet, designer shades, or even loose change lying around. It might sound obvious, but even a beach bag or rucksack with nothing inside can catch a thief鈥檚 eye鈥攖hey鈥檒l smash the window first and ask questions later.
Elche police recommend sorting out your valuables before you arrive at the car park. Stash them in the boot at home, or better yet, take them with you. If you absolutely must leave something behind, make sure it鈥檚 out of sight and move it before you hit the beach. Thieves sometimes lurk nearby and watch as drivers hurriedly tuck items under seats before heading off.
The boot isn鈥檛 as safe as you think
Think you鈥檙e clever hiding things in the boot? Think again. Thieves know all the tricks, and many car break-ins happen because someone鈥檚 seen you stash your handbag in the boot at the last minute. The advice: if you鈥檙e going to use the boot, do it before you get to the beach. And double check that it鈥檚 locked.
Lock up but check twice
A lot of us trust that familiar 鈥渂eep鈥 from the key fob. But technology isn鈥檛 foolproof鈥攃riminals sometimes use jammers to block the locking signal. So, after you press the button, physically check the doors and windows. Just a quick tug could make all the difference.
Don鈥檛 park and forget
It might be convenient to tuck your car away in a quiet, shady spot, but these are the very places thieves love best. Stick to busy, well-lit car parks where there鈥檚 a regular flow of people. If there are security cameras or patrols, all the better. And if you spot anything suspicious鈥攁 stranger lurking, someone peering into windows鈥攄on鈥檛 hesitate to call the police on 092. You could be saving your own stuff and helping out the next family too.
Local patrols are out but you鈥檙e the first line of defence
It鈥檚 reassuring to know that Elche police have increased their patrols along popular stretches of the coast, and you might even spot officers making the rounds in car parks. But as they say themselves, the first step in crime prevention is you. Simple changes in habit can make you a far less attractive target.
At the end of the day, nobody wants their summer memories soured by the hassle of police reports, insurance claims and replacing stolen gear. If you鈥檝e ever come back from the sand to find a broken window, you鈥檒l know it can ruin more than just your afternoon鈥攊t puts a real dent in your peace of mind.
So next time you鈥檙e off for a swim or a sunset picnic, remember: a few extra seconds of care could save you hours of grief. Double check, hide your valuables, stay alert鈥攁nd then get out there and enjoy everything the coast has to offer.
And if in doubt, just think: would you leave it there overnight? If not, take it with you. The sea will still be waiting when you get back.
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