alnmike Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Hi allWe were burgled last night, our cottage is about 40km south of Cherbourg. They got in by forcing our keysafe off an external wall, taking it away to drill it open. It seems they were disturbed before doing too much damage, but have stolen various electrical goods and my husbands tools. [:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Im really sorry to hear that , its alwful. Thankfully not to much damage , bet you feel like thumping some one at the mo! Its a worry being so far away isnt it? Have you seen it yet or has some one in formed you from france ?[:(]What is a key safe? I assume its a safe on a external wall with the keys in ?? Im not being funny but why do you do that ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruonglue Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Its so that when you have guests you just need to give them the combination.To be honest there is probably more work involved in prising open a keysafe than breaking into the house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 If I were you I would do just that i.e. break into your house leaving visible damage before reporting the loss to the insurance company, and to be on the safe side hide all traces of the key(not)safe[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alnmike Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 Yes - I too found it hard to believe that someone would go to all that effort. Forcing the front door would have been easier!Gendarmes said 'there's alot of it about'. Our French neighbours spotted it - great that they check everyday! With our friends over there we have got someone staying in the cottage tonight, and we'll be over tomorrow. I guess I'll have to pay for timed-changeovers now, for guests to collect the keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineS2 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Very worrying, as we too have a keysafe. Where was your safe? Was it very visible?Ours is tucked away in one of the outbuildings, and we don't keep the keys in there permanently - our cleaner puts them in there on the day of the changeover, so we'd be really unlucky if someone tried to force it during the few hours when there is actually a key in there...But we will bear your experience in mind in the coming months now that the end of the busy season approaches - next weekend is the first time the house will be empty since last spring, so we really need to make sure our caretakers are more vigilant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineS2 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 [quote user="alnmike"] I guess I'll have to pay for timed-changeovers now, for guests to collect the keys.[/quote]Actually, there is a "half-way" solution, as per my post above. You don't need to pay for someone to sit and wait for your guests, just for them to put the key there on the day of the changeover. That should be a bit cheaper? It certainly is for us, and our keyholder is much happier now that she is not tied to having to wait in for the guests to turn up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alnmike Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Our keysafe was also in an outbuilding, so no - not obvious.We don't normally leave the key in - it was there because we were half expecting friends over for the half-term.A good suggestion regarding leaving only on the day - thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now