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Vol. 11 Issue 265
www.theolivepress.es
May 10th - May 23rd 2017
Legendary Iggy Pop rocks Cadiz festival
Page 3
PARENTS are being urged to be on high alert after a number of alleged attempted kidnappings on the Costa del Sol. British expat Vicki Reid, 35, has taken to Facebook to warn people to be alert after she witnessed what she described as ‘any parent’s worst nightmare’ in Calahonda. In the week of the tenth anniversary of missing Maddie McCann, Reid, who was walking her dog with her son, noticed two men in a car closely watching a group of 11 to 13-year-olds playing in the street. The Riviera resident then spotted one of the men get out of the black Seat and pursue the group along Calle Siroco with a ‘very suspicious bottle of liquid in his hand’. To Reid’s horror, he then darted behind some trees to conceal his presence while the other remained in the car with the engine running.
Knighted Spanish psychologist reveals incredible life
Page 8
Droning on
The weird and wonderful uses for drones in Spain
Page 20
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Alleged ‘child snatchers’ coasting the Costa del Sol on 10th anniversary of Maddie kidnap
679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA.indd 23/02/2017 11:31 1
Lust for Life
Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company
Detective work The hunt for false illness scammers begins
Page 27
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SCENE OF ATTEMPT: Calahonda and (below) Seat Most suspiciously of all, when she shouted out to the children to be aware, the man stopped in his tracks before fleeing back to the vehicle and driving off. Reid then took the children back to her home where she called the police. “I’m still shaking and cannot believe what could’ve happened if I had not been turning
A paedophile, NOT parents killed Maddie Olive Press investigation See Page 6
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that corner at that precise moment,” she said. She described the man she saw as having shaved blonde hair, while his friend had darker hair. The car was black with some paw print stickers on the boot. This is just one of what is believed to be several incidents to have been reported along the
Costa del Sol in the last month. Estepona resident Jacqui Chamberlain has also come forward about her son’s frightening experience on Good Friday. The 12-year-old, who has not been named, was waiting for his sister outside her boyfriend’s house near the Plaza de Toros in the afternoon. Within minutes, a car went past and a man got out and asked him if he wanted any sweets. Chamberlain’s son immediately ran away. His mother reported the incident to the police where she says they told them there had been around five similar cases reported recently. “We tried to play it down because he was petrified - it scared the life out of him,” she told the Olive Press. “But we didn’t’ really know what to do – we didn’t have anyone to speak to because no one we know has had a similar experience. “What are you supposed to do, stop your kids from going outside? It’s hard when he has so many friends that live close to us. “You get this type of thing happening everywhere - I don’t think it matters where you are in the world. The most important thing is to spread awareness, because people just don’t believe it,” she added. Anyone who sees a car or men fitting the descriptions should call the police on 112 or contact the Olive Press at newsdesk@ theolivepress.es.
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PLEA: Ed Wilcox
Must speak English! By Chloe Glover
AN EXPAT has urged police to do more to help tourists who become victims of crime. Ed Wilcox, who has lived in Duquesa since 1982, is appealing for more English-speaking officers to be recruited for the Costa del Sol. Wilcox, a retired computer repairman, believes the number of English-speaking tourists justifies the majority of beat officers speaking the language. His appeal comes after he was randomly asked to act as an interpreter in crime cases TWICE in two days. Although only a passer-by, he was firstly asked to help translate for a British family who had been burgled in the Los Hidalgos urbanisation last week. “Both the local police and Guardia Civil were on hand and were very pleasant and efficient, but none of them was able to speak English so I was asked to translate,” said Wilcox, 75. The next day he was dragged into another case after four Norwegians had their passports, and a laptop stolen from their car at Supersol, in Manilva. “I know we’re in Spain but this area is benefiting from a tourist boom again and something needs to be done about the language problem. “They need to employ translators like those that are available in hospitals. “While the police are obliged to provide translators for court cases, they are not forced to provide one to victims of crime - it’s absolutely ridiculous.” On a recent visit to Manilva Guardia Civil barracks, the Olive Press was brought in to translate for a tourist, who had had his wallet stolen, taking a full 30 minutes. Malaga Police failed to comment.
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