Hi All,
Clearly break-ins at rural properties are a huge problem.  Can anyone offer some advice to those of us who are not there permanently on how to secure our property?  Do you, for example, have alarms?  If so, what type? 

We have a property which is currently unrenovated yet though it looks unlikely to have anything of value inside, they persistently break in and (in the latest break-in, removed the final thing of any value - a bottle of washing-up liquid and half a packet of salt!).

Many thanks in advance.

In my experience alarms are a waste of time and money, my best advice is to secure the building with bars on the windows and doors etc. If you have near neighbours let them know you will be away for most of the time, and they can then be aware of people and/or vehicles approaching your house, the spanish practice is for all of the above plus a dog i know this probably would not be practical in your case.

I definitely would not advise informing my neighbours,as like jelly bean has posted,we have had everything which is not bolted down, stolen from our property.
Some of the things stolen have been so large they would not fit in a car or normal size van,but have been walked away and I beleive are still close by.
We have just visited to find our old tractor had the fuel tank drained and the contents stolen,even though it was nearly empty and full of water !

So do folks ever get insurance?

Can't agree with catalanboy. After previous break-ins I've fitted very visible alarms, cameras, real & dummy and prominent signs to our and friends properties. We've had no more trouble but just about every other place around our way has been done. Thieves don't want to get caught and there are plenty of un-alarmed places to do over. Our alarm rings my mobile when triggered and sends a picture. It uses the mobile network and so doesn't need a fixed line.
As for insurance... I'll leave that for another post!

We would advise people to have bars at windows and doors fitted. An alarm may be a deterrent as well. Maybe if you have a trusted neighbour, get them to visit the property reguarly. Put lights on a timer and possibly a radio to make a noise in the evening. Mostly be very careful who you tell about any absence from the property. We are getting claims where the main suspects are people that may be known to the victim. We can insure rural homes at a reasonable cost but it will be more expensive without protection.
Catalunya Insurance Services