Motorway pirates in Spain
hi. We are on course for a 4 month winter stay in Andalucia and are poised ready to send off our booking deposit. But, there's always a but, I was looking through the Internet trying to pick my way through the marker board debates (we are over 12m) and
I stumbled across some sites giving information about the motorway muggers in Spain. This has really begun to trouble me and I'm now dithering about going. Can anyone enlighten me please.
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This subject has been discussed at length here over the years. The consensus was clearly that if you applied common sense you should be fine. Do not stop for 'bogus' police on motorways. Do not leave your caravan unattended at service stations. Put possessions
out of site etc. You really should not be concerned just careful. Most stories you hear are anecdotal not first hand0 -
, IF ,,you're flagged down by suspicious cars etc ,point a camera at them to record the details !!Or switch on your 'Dash Cam'
if you have one .Keep a watchfull 'eye out' at ALL times Try to leave someone in your parked up vehicle if you stop for a relief break " .COMMON SENSE RULES ." Enjoy your break .
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Dont be too concerned about this I lived in Spain for 12 years and motored back to the UK about twice a year with no problems, Just be watchful especially after a stop if anyone tries to flag you down pick up your mobile phone and show them your calling
the police, they will soon shoot off. If stopping Service Stations park close to the Lorry Drivers there always helpful. But dont worry get off on your holiday and enjoy yourselves0 -
hi. We are on course for a 4 month winter stay in Andalucia and are poised ready to send off our booking deposit. But, there's always a but, I was looking through the Internet trying to pick my way through the marker board debates (we are over 12m) and
I stumbled across some sites giving information about the motorway muggers in Spain. This has really begun to trouble me and I'm now dithering about going. Can anyone enlighten me please.Like @Deleted User User, we have been travelling to/from Spain in a motorhome for several years (ie since 2007). We have heard all the stories of "pirates", bogus police, etc etc, but, never witnessed any of it. As many have already said, exercise common sense
(just as you would here in the UK, or anywhere else) and forget the scare stories, is my advice.0 -
We have had an attempt to stop us on the ring road around Barcelona, we were travelling by car. There was a bang on the offside rear, and a car pulled alongside gesturing at our car and for us to stop. We carried on and eventually they shot off at speed.
We stopped several miles further on in busy services and checked but could find nothingi think that they threw something at the car, possibly hard rubber, that makes a bang without causing damage. If you pulled over they would help you inspect for damage while probably another person, laid in the back of their car would rob you
you should go but be sensible. Do not stop unless requested by a uniformed officer in a marked car. At services take it in turns to toilet, while one keeps an eye on your kit. Popular method is to pierce a tyre so that they can stop to assist you a bit further
down the roadBeen driving to Spain for 14 years, be alert and use commonsense
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Somebody tried to flag us down near Barcelona a few years ago. There were 3 young males in the car and I had no intention of stopping so my wife got her mobile out and took a photo of them. They sped off. It does happen but it is very rare and usually only around the big cities. Just do as others have suggested and be vigilant, lock all doors and keep possessions out of sight. Never let yourself become distracted and keep any service station stops around cities to a minimum. It didn't stop us returning to Spain.
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A Spanish policeman once told me “there are no good Samaritans on the motorways”
As others have advised just be vigilant and be aware of the different scams, the robberies are normally one person to “distract” whilst another does the stealing. Keep all valuables out of sight, and don’t carry all your cash and cards in one place.
Thousands of members travel to Spain every year without incident, don’t let the reports put you off, but just be aware that robberies can happen.
This information was published on our website in 2010, but the advice is still relevant.
Hope you have a great trip!
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Wherever you go in the world there are bad guys (and girls too). We too have had that bang on the back of a caravan as we drove round Barcelona, the car coming alongside waving us down. Wife pointed camera at them and they sped off. I have had a gypsey's
hand in my trouser pocket on the metro in Rome which nearly resulted in me breaking her arm. I have seen handbags snatched in Barcelona. You will get your contactless bank card emptied in Oxford Street and I was once warned against taking my car into Liverpool
because it would be stolen and not to stop at traffic lights in Harlem (NY) because my wheels would be stolen.Yes, it does happen, but with sensible precautions it need not bother you. When you reckon that over the winter most campsites in Southern Spain are full, many many thousands travel down there safely.
These guys always look for a weakness. If you don't show one, if you are sensible, then you will be perfectly OK.
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If in doubt,dont go, we have not had a problem in over 20 years travelling to Spain, dont stop at Picnic Areas and never stop at the sevices at Catalan Village just before you enter Spain, this is a notorious spot
Admiral
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