Having just returned from atrip to Gdansk I would just like to pass on a warning to perspective travellers. It seems that theft from cars, especially western European ones is rife. I had read about this before leaving but paid little attention as we were flying there. However, we did see quite a few cars with smashed windows and our hotel had a 24hr guard on the car park. I met this German guy who was staying in another hotel who had his windscreen smashed and all his documents stolen. He had decided to keep them in his car to avoid the charge of putting them in the hotel safe. The end result was that he lost cash, passports etc. He told me that he tried to get his sister in Wurzburg to wire money to him but without photographic information they (the post office)would have nothing to do with the matter. The thought of a scam did run through my mind but he didn't ask for any money. The incident bothers me and I wonder if I could have done more except offer my sympathy. In any event, be aware of this type of crime and hopefully, like us, you'll have a good time. Best Wishes, George T.
Poland
- Thread starter butler1
- Start date
Hi George, we were in Slovakia in November and hired a car, it had more security devices fitted than the bank of England, we were told by the vendor that we must use all the devises because if the car was stolen we would be liable for it,also warned about leaving anything in the car, having said that we enjoyed our trip, it is a beatiful country.
All of Eastern Europe is known to be problem regarding thefts and it was foolhardy for the chap from Germany to leave anything of value inside. Most stolen cars also end up somewhere out east, either in Poland or beyond. In fact, people in Germany have this joke: "Come and visit Poland before your car makes it here first". Diesel 4x4's are a big favourite.
Yes, it does seem a bit daft leaving all your valuables in the car. I tactfully put this to him and he said that last summer he travelled all around the Baltic states in his motor home. He said that he avoided the cities but spent most of the time in ruralareas where he often left the motorhome unlocked. He felt that he had been lulled in to a false sense of security. The policeman he spoke to was at pains to point out that this sort of thing rarely happened under the communist regime. There again, I don't suppose they had too many visitors either. Best Wishes, George T.
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