More than half of the people registered in Calpe were born outside Spain, and some divide their year between here and Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands or further. Most will never have to read this. For those who do, the call usually comes from a neighbour or a key holder, and you are a flight away.
This is what to do, in order.
1. Make sure nobody is in danger
If the neighbour thinks someone may still be inside, they should not go in. They call 112. Nothing else on this list matters until that is settled.
2. The police report
A burglary has to be reported to the police (the denuncia). Your insurer will ask for its number, and without it most will not pay.
- If someone in Calpe can go with the police when they attend, they can start the process locally.
- You can also report it yourself when you return, or in some cases file it online and complete it later in person. Ask the police what applies to your case.
Ask whoever is at the house not to touch the door, the lock or anything inside until the police have seen it, unless the police say otherwise.
3. Make the door secure
A forced door cannot be left open, especially in an empty house. Once the police are done, a locksmith can make it lockable the same day.
From a distance, you need to:
- Authorise the work by message or email, naming the property and who will be there to meet the locksmith.
- Agree the price before anyone sets off.
- Decide who keeps the new keys: your key holder, a neighbour, or they are sent to you.
If the frame or door is too damaged for a same-day repair, it can be secured temporarily and the permanent repair done later.
4. Photographs and paperwork for the insurer
Ask for:
- Photos before and after, showing the door, the lock and the damage.
- A written description of what was forced and how.
- An itemised invoice in your name.
Send those, with the police report number, to your insurer as early as you can. Many policies have short notification deadlines.
5. Think about why it happened
On flats the cylinder is a common way in; on villas it is often a terrace door. When you are back, or remotely with your key holder, look at:
- The front door cylinder: anti-snap, anti-bump, protected by an escutcheon.
- Terrace doors and sliders that actually lock.
- Who has keys, and whether the list needs a fresh start.
Next time you leave
A house left empty for months is worth checking before you go. There is a checklist for closing up a Calpe home that covers the locks, the key holder and the small jobs that make a difference.
To arrange the repair now, see burglary repair in Calpe or go straight to phone, WhatsApp and email.