Mijas cracks down on robberies at holiday homes

MIJAS Town Hall has launched a protocol against vandalism, ransacking and illegal occupation of houses.

All of these are problems which have been causing great alarm amongst local residents and homeowners in the past months. There have been an increasing number of reports of damages and theft of building materials at houses which are not occupied the whole year round, most of them located on large urbanizations, some of which are not yet inhabited.

To prevent this, the Local Police, Guardia Civil and the town hall will carry out special action to prevent this type of crime and reduce damages caused by vandalism. This includes the obligation of investigating any reports of such activity even if an official complaint is not made at the police station.

Once the damage has been checked, the town hall will contact the owner of the property so they can decide whether to make an official complaint.

If the owner can’t be located, the town hall will take measures to guarantee that it cannot be accessed. If it belongs to a real estate promoter or bank, the town hall will demand they get proper security measures. If this is not done, the town hall will close off the property and disconnect the water and electricity.

One building with 26 apartments in Riviera del Sol has been ransacked with the granite worktops stolen as well as the lift doors, iron bars, windows, furniture and copper wiring.