A lot of people have been expressing their concern about noisy summer rentals disturbing their peace and quiet, raising the question of how best to integrate a close-knit community that is both residential and tourist-based.

Those of us who live here all the year round suddenly find ourselves invaded over eight or 10 weeks in the height of the tourist season, and find their ‘new’ neighbours partying until 6 or 7am, or singing through the wee small hours on the karaoke machines they bring with them.

One resident said the villa next door to them is invaded each summer by three families including a host of children, their rotweiller and their beloved karaoke, adding: “It is six weeks we dread all year round.”

The general theme—and the heartfelt plea—is “can we do something about it?”

Well, yes, you can! You CAN make them stop!

Amovate raised the issue with Aljezur GNR Commandant Sargento Gabriel Reis in our quarterly briefing with him. He was quick to reassure Vale da Telha residents—in fact, he is one of us, and appreciates the problem at first hand—that the GNR WILL act swiftly on any problems brought to their attention.

Sargento Gabriel said: “The fact is people—whether they live here or are here on holiday—cannot create the kind of noise and disturbance being talked about and it is important the residents with that kind of problem call us immediately.

“If you ring us at the police HQ on 282 998 130—the station is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week—we will send a patrol to the house in question and tell them to shut down the music or the noise.

“They can play music only until 10pm, and even then only at a level so as not to disturb the neighbours.

“If the music is too loud even at 8pm we can send a patrol to quieten it.

“If we have to go back again to any house for the same reason the people committing the offence can then be fined.”

It is worth pointing out that before anyone rings the police they should assure themselves the noise pollution they are suffering at that moment is not just a brief interlude, and instead looks well set to go on for hours.

In order words, don’t get egg on your face by ringing the GNR then finding the music stops before they get there and the neighbouring—and offending—house has become as quiet as the grave!

Sargento Gabriel went on, with a quiet smile: “One of the problems is that people going on holiday and getting a welcome break from working all year or from their daily activities seem to feel that they have now moved outside normal life and arrive here feeling they can do everything they wish.

“Well, they cannot. They have to continue to live within the normal boundaries and to respect their neighbours.

“We spend all year in beautiful peace then the tourists arrive in July and August and suddenly it seems impossible live in Vale da Telha. But it isn’t and it shouldn’t be.

“If you have these problems, ring us and we’ll tackle them as quickly as possible.”

Summer, and the infusion of hundreds of outsiders, of course can bring other problems and Sargento Gabriel says villa owners should be very aware of an increased risk of opportunist theft.

He says reassuringly that, whilst individual victims do feel terribly upset and perhaps even violated when it happens to them, burglaries and thefts from houses in the Aljezur area are a minor problem.

But, still, people should not relax their vigilance.

He said: “In the summer when people tend to live outside a lot more, eating, drinking, reading by their pools, and swimming a lot more, they do tend to leave doors and windows open at the far side of the property.

“It is important that if, for example, you are relaxing outside, any doors and windows not in your line of sight, should be secured.

“And through the night, if you feel you need to leave windows open for ventilation make sure your shutters, if you have them, are secured.”

Thefts from cars are also a minor problem in this area, but they can occur when the beaches and car parks are packed during the summer months.

“Carrapateira is the biggest problem area in this respect, as cars tend to be parked on the cliffs overlooking the beach, or in car parks away from the beach and are therefore more vulnerable to sneak thieves,” the sergeant went on.

“Monte Clerigo and Arrifana usually only record two or three such instances a year and Amoreira perhaps five or six.

“But, while it is not a major problem, you can still become a victim, so it is important to take care when you drive to the beach. It goes without saying that you should not leave any valuables at all in the car, not just to put them out of sight.

“Opportunist thieves tend not to break into cars where they cannot see anything of value. But there are exceptions to the rule and once a thief has broken or forced a window and got into the car they can then open the boot and take any valuables left there.

“So take only what you need on the beach, and don’t leave any of that in your vehicle.

“And of course, while you are relaxing on the beach make sure that when you go away from your ‘base camp’, to swim or maybe to go and buy a drink or ice cream, at least one person always stays behind to guard your belongings.”

Sargento Gabriel also advises you not to leave personal effects like your driver’s licence and passport in your glove compartments.

“When you go out in your car within the Aljezur region you can carry a copy of your licence and your passport, which will service as identification should my officers stop you,” he said.

“That will be sufficient in this area, although other areas may want to see the original documents.”

On other matters Sargento Gabriel points out there is now a new car park, with 200 spaces, behind the market at the bridge in the town.

And a road behind the new Intermarché Supermarket will, once it is opened, become one-way to avoid congestion. For clarification this is the road where the ACCT Charity Shop was located before its move to the high street.

Some people have also been asking about the question of dog leads, having heard that a new law may require a full chest harness rather than a simple lead attached to your dog’s collar.

But Sargento Gabriel says this is not the case—the type of lead you use for your dog remains entirely your choice. All the law requires is that you keep your dog on its lead and not allow it to run free unsupervised, which IS an offence.