EK Captain attacked at home in Jumeirah

[777boyindubai]

Hi All,

First post since leaving the pit.

An EK Captain and CRM Instructor was attacked in his home in 84 Villas last night by a masked intruder.

He stabbed our colleague with a box cutter. Injuries to face and next to his heart.

Hospitalised. Reports of a mask wearing guy entering other houses in the neighbourhood.

The pilot, R, is a great guy.

ALL of us who post on pprune send our respects to you and your family and our wishes for a speedy recovery.

Stay safe when you fly and perhaps we should all take a few minutes with kids and spouses to remind them to lock up.

Happy Xmas to all.

[wanabee777]

Very sorry to hear that.

I wish the Captain a speedy recovery and swift justice for the perpetrator.

[bafanguy]

Are events like this highly unusual for that area or do we ordinarily just not hear about them ?

Anything about a motive yet ?

[777boyindubai]

These events occur in cycles. They do happen with regularity, usually every 8 months or so. The authorities do not publicise it. There have also been some attempted abductions of kids from the schools surrounding the 84 Villas. The police and schools did publicise these events. I knew of at least ten people in the 84 Villas who were broken into. This is the first time where violence has been used that I know of. I have seen pics of R. Out of respect for his family I don't want to share. They are not pretty at all. Please do mention to your family members the importance of taking care when leaving school and locking up at night. Get some contents insurance from RSA at EGHQ. It is cheaper and a good investment.

[rdr]

If indeed you have a recurring breakin problem every 8 months and 10 such cases, it does speak much about the airlines inability to sort it out.

[777boyindubai]

The airline show their disdain for the employees on a daily basis. They have done nothing to improve security in the these villas. I really hope they now take it seriously. This poor man could have lost his sight or be dead. Speedy recovery Captain R. With best wishes to your family.

[guemes]

Approximately where are the 84 Villas?

[777boyindubai]

Very close to Safa Park. Off Al Wasl Road. Near Al Wasl Square.

[Gulf News]

A very senior 380 Skipper who lived a few doors down from R.in 84 before he left presented CCTV footage to EK group security of two guys shagging each other outside his villa. The recording was confiscated and he was told to shut up or ship out. The incident obviously did not sit comfortably with the heirachy. This approach would be no surprise to anyone who has lived in this part of the world for any legnth of time. The area has been known for break-ins and petty theft but nothing this serious.
Wishing R. a speedy recovery and a hope that the perpetrator is found and his balls nailed to the wall.

[Odins Raven]

We lived next door to R for many years until we recently returned to the UK and were shocked to hear what had happened especially since it seems I was pretty complacent and naive while we lived there... The missus claimed that the front door would be rattled in the night as if someone was trying to gain entry - coincidentally happening every time I left, as if someone has been watchin and waiting... it seems the perps target those without maids as it's easier to sneak into the garden unnoticed... it's a wake-up call for those like me who naively go away feeling the family is secure.
Get well soon and enjoy the extra fishing time ;-) ....

[helen-damnation]

Many of these type of break-ins are opportunist and due to complacency on our part.

Get some bolts put on the sliding doors and/or some wood (2x1 or old broom handle) to stop them being forced.
Have some outside light(s) on.
Do your bit for charity and get a dog from canine friends.
Lock downstairs doors (kitchen etc) at night to restrict further access.
Get additional locks/bolts on the kitchen door etc.

Sounds a lot but you don't need a fortress, just make it too much trouble for the thief to get in, they'll go!

We all know there's no such thing as 100% security but I sleep ok at night (when I'm home!).

[springbok449]

A dog from canine friends works wonders as a deterrent for the opportunist thieve, a while back all of the houses in our compound were burgled except ours...
As far as security goes nothing will happen from the airline side of things, years ago when still in company accommodation we discovered when returning from leave (in those days we could still get leave) that our house had been "occupied" whilst we were away. Bathrooms left dirty and soiled, kitchen in a mess etc, there were no signs of a break in, wrote to the appropriate people in the company, the email wasn't even acknowledged. Found out later that security in that compound had a master key of the doors to the villa, went to ACE and bought some new locks!

[Eau de Boeing]

Our dog from K9 is awesome as a deterrant.
Mistreated and abused and dumped on the street means he's not to amenable to certain types (all without training :ok:).

We don't get anyone bothering us and if they need to come to the house, they are normally found cowering outside!

[Jumeirah James]

Gents,

I think we are failing to completely grasp the seriousness of this and other situations like this. Advice from the Company Security department is not enough. We all have a responsibility to secure our homes, but ultimately so does Emirates. They invited us here, encouraged us to bring our families under the auspices that everything is safe and secure. Yet over the years, attempted child abductions and burglaries have increased to the point that the recent situation could have resulted in the death of a colleague. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

But what if he hadn't walked in at that moment and disturbed the burglar? What intent did this burglar have? Who said he was just a burglar? Most of us have a Wife and family. I'm not trying to scaremonger anyone but I've seen the photos of the attack on R and they are totally shocking. It has really made me think and indeed worry if we are really happy leaving our families for days on end to the 'safety of Dubai' without extra measures?

I personally think Emirates need to actually do more to make us and our families safer in our villas. I for one will be writing to HH and STC for the implementation of physical measures and not just fluffy advice and emails attempting to assure us all is well. It obviously isn't!

[Got2luvem]

Ek is trying to make it safer for us by moving everyone to Meydan !!!

[777boyindubai]

As mentioned earlier, I have also seen the pictures of R that James refers to. They are truly shocking. I have also been told that at least one school local to the 84 Villas where a good number of EK staff send their kids is now carrying out a certain "security protocol" Several parents found out when their kids told them. EK are heavily involved in tbe running of the school yet received no communication from them. There could be something much more sinister behind the events at R's house that are nothing to do with him or his family. Please take care of your families and property. Remember that the local press mentioned that "a banned group" used to meet at Al Manara Mosque which is only a few miles away. The UAE is involved in a stalemated war in Yemen. Syria, Egypt and Libya being another story. Uncertain times ahead for sure.

[Praise Jebus]

The obvious company response would be to move every one to a single compound owned and operated by itself where it controls security... Recover well R.

[fatbus]

This is such a shame. Unfortunately EK won't do anything.
Can anyone confirm that the perp has been caught on not.

[springbok449]

just to add to my story above, when we had a series of break-ins at my non-company compound, the guy that we rent from (a well known local) took things seriously and we have had security guards roaming at night ever since (2 plus years ago) as for our company I am still waiting to hear back from our incident in company provided accommodation some years back...

[777boyindubai]

I hope Hussein and Ahlam from EK Accomodation have the decency to come and see R at home after his discharge and wish him a speedy recovery......or she could just send him her standard answer by email "Due to operational reasons your request denied" (sic)

Break-ins are not unknown in Silicon Oasis Semmer Villas either. For non EK staff that is a large compound that contains around 500 villas for FD and Management.

It has an entry gate staffed 24 hours a day by Transguard. Of note, one guy had his entire house cleared out when he was on holiday. And I mean EVERYTHING!

The whole litany or break-ins, thefts and now this incident with R demonstrate again (if that was needed) the disdain that EK have for their staff.

Time to contact the WSJ, again....

[Bring Back The Biff]

Shocking news indeed - and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim.

A lot of chest beating by the no longer present 777boy..., however - and not being an apologist for the company - how exactly is EK responsible for this situation?

Additionally, what would you have them do?

Finally, these type of incidents never happen in good old Blighty do they 'Boy?

[777boyindubai]

Great to see the thread hijacked. I'll tell you what EK can do. They are the Landlord of many properties and could quite easily have EK security come and offer some advice to people who leave their families behind for days on end. They could have Farnek come and undertake some basic improvements at cost price. EK love to control EVERY facet of their staffs' lives. Why not assist and advise on security for the people who make money for them? I'll ignore your bait. If you had seen the pictures of poor R, you wouldn't be in such a playful mood. Blighty has never marketed itself as the safest place in the world. Unlike the place of safety and security that Dubai tries to market itself on. Happy Christmas to you and yours.

[Bring Back The Biff]

Thread hijacked? No.

You are just being unrealistic.

I'm all for holding the company accountable for it's sins - but you draw a long bow on this one.

[Old King Coal]

Following on from the comments made above by 777boyindubai:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/terrorism

http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/mobile//sm_112215.html

[kirungi1]

Wouldn't the police do far more as they are more capable that Emirates security alone in this sort of thing or is Emirates not pushing th Police enough? I'm sure R and indeed other victims in the past have filed with the Police and presumably there have been some sort of investigations, foresics, et cetera. Do you think the police is doing enough?
I don't think Emirates appreciates the consequences of this sort of thing. All the best R

[Emma Royds]

Whilst the company cannot be held directly responsible for such events, they do have a vital role to play in minimising the possibility of such events taking place.

EK has a duty of care towards its employees and that duty of care extends to those who reside in accommodation that has been provided by the company. I suspect that increasing the level of security around company villas is something that the company will want to avoid if at all possible. It doesn't project the image of the safe utopia that the company is so keen to promote Dubai as being. The company will do its utmost to hide and dismiss such events which is beyond contempt.

Personally ensuring that you and your personal property is secure, goes without saying. However the company has a role to play in ensuring that the effectiveness of your own security measures is never actually brought to the test.

[ekpilot]

Biff,

If you are an employer and sponsor someone, for example: a maid, or a driver. You have the responsability to provide them with proper and SAFE accomodation. If something happens to them, you are the one that they are going to turn to for help and support.

EK is our sponsor, I think asking for some support is fair!

[fliion]

Playing Devils advocate here.

The employees also have a responsibility to express security concerns eg no gated compound with 24hr security - at which point the Co could offer Meydan.

Nasty event...but I'm not sure about pointing the finger at anyone other than the perp.

[Aluminium shuffler]

The Transguard security (part of EK) at the compounds are useless. They man barriers at the entrances, but let any and every vehicle in after merely recording the number plate and asking which villa it is visiting. They NEVER call the villa to check if they are expecting anyone, and the patrols never check on the legitimacy of the removals trucks taking possessions out of houses; the patrols just cycle past assuming all is well.

[Bring Back The Biff]

ekpilot - I agree with the sentiment, however - where do you draw the line?

In my opinion, the villa's in question are pretty secure - they have lockable outer gates, a 6ft wall between adjoining villas and deadlocking swinging doors.

They are in a quiet, upmarket part of Dubai.

This thread would have been more useful if the focus had been on informing the pilot group of the threat, and suggestions to avoid, trap and mitigate!

[Xiamen]

A burglery gone bad, or a deliberate attack?
Has he had any conflicts with the locals lately? At work?

[777boyindubai]

Biff.
There are no Street lights at all on one of the streets where the 84 Villas are located. In addition, the gates you mentioned are not solid, one can easily put a hand in and lift up the bolt, push and they are in. The rear patio door can be levered out. Hence the suggestion of broomstick handles. A six foot wall isn't much of a deterrent with one guy to hoist the other up.

The criticism of EK would be unfair if they didn't try to rule everything else in their staff members' lives. From picking up pilots at a time convenient for EK. To direct salary deductions for phone bills. From TCAS telling us not to drink coffee in uniform. To telling us we can't have our overdue leave due to operational requirements. Enforced overtime...etc etc

As mentioned they have a duty of care to the staff that make them the money to ensure their families safety issues are as well taken care of as possible. The Puzzle Palace announces a new sporting sponsorship every other week it seems. Yet nothing to assist in anyway to counter the numerous attempted break ins, robberies and now this.I doubt what happened to R will be in the next edition of Safar (suffer)

We must take care of our families and neighbours. But EK also have a responsibility of care.

Flion rightly illudes to the point that EK will use this terrible incident to gain any advantage and, I believe hasten the move to Maydan.

[Praise Jebus]

Perhaps similar to the staff welfare concern shown after the tragic passing of JJ. ...

[CAYNINE]

Definitely a sign of things to come.

JJ situation was also absolutely disgraceful

[777boyindubai]

JJ was a superstar. His family are often in my thoughts.

[777boyindubai]

The official name of the 82 Villas is:

New Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Villas.

This gentleman is the owner:

Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Born Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
1950 (age 64–65)
Bur Dubai, Dubai
Occupation Major General
Title Sheikh
Religion Islam
Major General Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم‎) (b. 1950 in Bur Dubai, Dubai) is the Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police & Public Security. He is the current Chairman of the Al Wasl FC club located in Dubai.
He is the fourth and youngest son of the late ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1990). His elder brothers Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are the Deputy Ruler and Ruler of Dubai respectively.

[Rotating Bacon]

I miss JJ, he was an amazing guy

[nolimitholdem]

Seems to me the takeaway from the story is simply yet another tick in the "con" column of reasons not to move to Dubai or work for EK.

But in the end, the true believers will defend, the foolish will join, and the band plays on.

At least it's consistent. Scratch the shiny surface to see the sh$t.

[Aluminium shuffler]

I am not defending what has happened here, but lets be realistic - most of us from the western world lived in cities where such things occur frequently, and most of us in streets that had suffered burglaries. This is a horrible incident, and I hope R recovers well, but let's not get so hysterical as to forget it happens back home too.

[alwayzinit]

A door step attack is an escalation in this "low" crime environment that of which we should all take note.

A quick visit to the Dragon Mart will net you 2x IR motion activated CCTV plus DVR and the fixings for around 600 aed.

Put ours up in an afternoon covering our car port/garage, garden entrance and back door.

It won't stop a nutter but may deter some petty pilfering.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery to R.

[Panther 88]

Aluminium S.
You are correct and many are from parts that are not a safe environment for a family with the bread winner away for the greater part of the month. But that is the appeal, at least that's what is being sold, that Dubai is a very safe environment in every respect (they never mention the roads). I was told you can leave your villa unlocked most of the time, along with your car etc. Even showed examples of "news" for small burglaries. So in some respects the company should be held accountable for what they are selling the uninitiated. Tell the truth.....or I should say, don't hide the truth.

[Aluminium shuffler]

They seem fond of the "low crime is not no crime" expression, in my experience. I have never been told, in fairness, that there is no crime here. I think one is at far more risk from the driving here than crime, and at less risk of crime here than in any EU or US town or city, but that doesn't mean you can leave houses or cars unlocked, a wallet or bag unattended and so on.

I have known several colleagues to be mugged in Europe, a few neighbours to be burgled and one, recently and in a very sleepy edge of a town, to be stabbed in a home break in. It is always shocking, and the perpetrators should be dealt with harshly. But it is a global phenomenon that is relatively rare here. I can't dispute anyone's wish to fit CCTV, but it didn't help in this case (the neighbours' cameras that caught the sodomists), and rarely works elsewhere. Door and window locks, and general awareness of what is happening around you (ie being followed or watched) is the best defense.

Like I said, the compound security procedures are pointless as they allow anyone in - we are pestered by tradesmen touting for business, so it is possible that we are also being cased by thieves or worse. The difference is that at home, few live in compounds with guards so don't have a false sense of security.

[helen-damnation]

Attacker and accomplice arrested after being ID'd via line up and DNA.
Took a while but good job by the rozzers.

[fatbus]

That's good to hear. What nationality ?

[uba737]

Great to hear!

[Jet II]

There have been several other robberies in EK housing in the past few weeks, in Jumeirah, Marina and Al Safa - make sure your maid locks up.

[Sheikh Your Bootie]

In the local top quality free paper.

Emirates pilot stabbed by burglars in his Dubai home (http://7days.ae/emirates-pilot-stabbed-burglars-dubai-home/79328)

Well done DXB police...

SyB :zzz:

[harry the cod]

fatbus

Attacker Iranian (possible links to organised crime in Pakistan), getaway driver....well, you've seen how fast people from a certain nationality drive here right? He was from there.....or should I say...here!

Apparently the Police did an excellent job and R's got nothing but praise for their involvement, support for him and his family and their total disgust at this type of rare but nonetheless worrying crime. They see this as a reflection on themselves so have done as much as possible to be personally involved at the highest level. Attempted murder is the charge.

Can't imagine the London Metropolitan Police Commisssioner inviting a stabbing victim into his office for tea, chocolates and a huge bouquet of flowers. They commended him on his bravery. In the UK they'd have arrested him for using excessive force and then he'd have got sued by the perpetrator no doubt.

Harry

[Trader]

Thanks for the update - good to hear some good news.