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NORTH EDITION
Your English Newspaper
Issue 579
Bandit country
19 - 25 NOVEMBER 2010
Did You Know…?
The Alicante Diputation’s ‘Did You Know…?’ Roadshow has been a resounding success this week when it landed on the Costa Blanca. • p4
Golden opportunities at Christmas Strike gold this Christmas with a trip to the Portal de la Marina where you will find gifts galore under one roof. • p21
How to generate UK Tax Refunds
by Jack Troughton
Find out how you may be able to claim tax refunds in the UK by reading David Mayer and Jez Crawford of Jacksons, Chartered Accountants article in RTN’s new property section. • p32
No Go Go Hamsters
This week Paul Watts reviews this year’s top ten Christmas toy list and it’s not cheap. • p34
Wembley woe
This week Andy Kay’s writes about Wednesdays England friendly plus the recent Haye v Harrison farce. • p62
Paul Rodwell, the British Consul lays his wreath
British Consul leads the tributes on Remembrance Sunday
Wreaths were laid at last Sunday’s Remembrance Day ceremony. The British Consul in Alicante, Paul Rodwell, was joined by the Mayor of Orihuela, Monica Lorente and the Mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, Ignacio Ramos Garcia, for the service. Read the full story on page 17.
See page 17
VULNERABLE BUSINESSES are being targeted in a Costa Blanca crime wave that is costing angry owners thousands of euros. A succession of night time smash and grab raids have been staged at premises along the CV70 dual carriageway in La Nucia – fast earning the reputation as the area’s badlands. And as businessmen step up security measures they are calling for better protection from the Guardia Civil and local police. ‘Labels and Tables’ was hit twice in under a fortnight; Nemo’s Bistro suffered two raids in 10 days, while Laura’s Pizzas has been a victim four times in 14 days. RTN was told of other burglaries at businesses lining the road. And John Reeves, director of
Labels and Tables, said he had named two bandits ‘Little and Large’ after they were captured on security cameras. He said the first burglary was at 23.30 on 27th October. “They tried to smash the window into the café – however, they then made a door when the frame pinged out with the force.” He said one robber had stolen a €100 float from the till while his accomplice kept watch but repairing the damage had cost around €1,200. “We called the Guardia Civil from Altea and showed them the camera footage – they said to give it to colleagues at La Nucia, which we did. We also made a denuncia but they did not seem too concerned,” said John. Continued on page 3