A common perception is that summer burglaries mainly occur at night or when you are away. But according to the police, just as many thieves choose to strike during the day – even if someone is in the residence.
We see repeatedly that thieves enter homes when people are at home and out in the garden. You don't think ahead and leave windows or doors open – and it goes very fast when they're inside, says Helena Wahlund, crime analyst at the crime coordination unit in police region East.
"Don't invite the thief"
In addition to locking all doors and windows, the police advise against leaving the key on the inside of the patio door. Thieves can, for example, make a hole in the glass with a stone and then it's easy to stick in their hand.
There should also be no ladders left out that can be used to get up to the upper floor.
Don't invite the burglar. The longer it takes for the thief to get in, the greater the chance that someone will discover the attempted break-in, says Helena Wahlund.
Often it only takes a few minutes for the thieves to search the residence. Not uncommonly, they start looking in rooms where many people store jewelry, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, since, for example, gold jewelry is both easy to carry and sell.
Think about where you store your valuables. Put them in a place that's not so obvious.
"Don't tidy up"
Those who are going on vacation should tell their neighbors that they will be away and are not expecting any visits. You can also lend out your parking space so that there's a car there.
You can have a radio playing or lamps on a timer. Don't tidy up, but let it be lively as if you were at home.
Have lamps that turn on when it gets dark and make sure they light up the entire facade. Lamps with motion detectors are also good.
Talk to your neighbors and help each other keep an eye out. If you're away, ask a neighbor to take a walk around the house, make sure the grass gets cut, and park a car on the driveway.
Be careful to lock doors and make sure windows are closed. Don't have ladders easily accessible in the garden.
Alarms are good, but don't always stop the thief. However, choose one that sounds – the attention deters. Surveillance cameras can also deter, as can showing that there's a dog in the house – or giving the impression of it.
Don't store jewelry, watches, and cash in predictable places. Bedrooms, closets, and drawers are usually searched, but the perpetrators often have a hurry, so a few cheap pieces of jewelry in an easily accessible drawer can, at best, fool the thieves.
Source: The Police
