يوم الوقاية من السرقة
Berlin, October 2022. Shorter days, earlier onset of darkness – in the cold season, burglaries are on the rise. Burglars feel secure. The likelihood of being caught in the act decreases significantly. Timed to coincide with the transition to winter time, the police and business initiative marks Burglary Prevention Day on the calendar. The campaign raises awareness of the numerous offenses and sensitizes individuals to preventive measures.
Werner Jantosch reduced the crime rate as Hamburg's Police Chief from 2004 to 2012 by 10 percent. He explains why the winter season is so popular for intruders: "Burglars always strike when they believe they are unobserved. They come, check if anyone is home, take advantage of the approaching darkness, and then begin their work." Thanks to activated lights, criminals can easily determine when residents are at home. Thus, darkness plays into their hands. According to data from the Police Crime Prevention of the Federal States and the Federal Government, burglaries increase by 63 percent in the cold months.
High burglary rates in Germany
In 2019 alone, the crime statistics recorded 87,145 burglaries in Germany. Measures to combat the pandemic, such as working from home and curfews, reduced the number of burglaries to 54,236 in 2021. However, due to the relaxation of measures in 2022, employees are leaving their homes more often, leaving their belongings unattended.
To ensure the security of their valuable possessions, some security-conscious individuals rely on private safes to store cash and valuables. However, since these safes are still located within the home, they do not provide protection against burglary per se: Intruders with enough time may dismantle safes if necessary or break them open.
The decision to use a safe as a storage option for valuables is considered sensible by Jantosch. However, if residents want to enjoy a higher level of security, external safes are considered a better choice. Robberies at financial institutions occur much less frequently than thefts in private settings. Jantosch attributes the lower crime rate to the security systems that financial institutions increasingly implement: time-controlled locking systems, ink systems for banknotes, and video surveillance deter criminals from burglaries.
Keeping private valuables safe
Items such as paintings and high-quality tablets make one's own four walls a home. "I have acquired these items to enjoy them, use them, or work with them. Therefore, they belong in the house. However, valuables that I have acquired to build up reserves, such as gold or other precious metals, I would not keep in the house. This also applies to expensive jewelry that is only worn for special occasions," says the advisory board member of the safe deposit box provider Trisor.
Burglars are already familiar with many hiding places in apartments and houses. Criminals do not hesitate to completely empty cabinets and shelves to locate hidden valuables such as cash and jewelry. Studies show that around one-third of Germans keep large amounts of cash at home. Motives for this include availability and perceived security. Unfortunately, cash is considered the most popular target for thieves alongside jewelry. Some individuals fearful of burglary deliberately leave small amounts of cash lying around, hoping intruders will not continue their search. However, the former police chief strongly warns against storing cash in the apartment or house. "The burglar will assume that there is something greater here to be prevented, but will gladly take the 'gift'.
Preventing theft
The former police chief considers conscientious securing of the home to be urgently necessary. When leaving the house or apartment, residents should always lock the front door – simply closing it is not enough. With simple tools that criminals can carry unnoticed in their pockets, they can enter the living area without much attention. Windows and patio doors also offer similarly easy entry points. These should be completely closed before leaving the house or apartment, not left on tilt!
Although this solution provides security for residents: leaving a key near the house or apartment door, such as in a flowerpot, appears to unwanted guests as an invitation. Forgetful individuals should either find an extremely secure hiding place or give a spare key to friends or neighbors.
Lastly, technology comes into play. Mechanical and, where necessary, electronic security measures in various forms provide both additional security and control. Also relevant in the age of social media: do not share vacation and absence plans online. After all, these picturesque absence notices are not only seen by friends.
Where to store cash and valuables?
Because more and more bank branches are closing, many people do not know where to keep their valuable possessions; with each branch of the house bank, safe deposit boxes disappear. Safe deposit box specialist Trisor offers a secure alternative. High-security vaults with lockers in various sizes store jewelry and valuables securely away from one's own four walls while still being constantly available. 24/7 access to the safe deposit box allows constant access to jewelry, investments, and memorabilia – just like at home, but without risk. Those who only want to store their belongings for the dark months can rent their safe deposit box for a short period of time.
Items worth up to €10,000 are automatically insured. For higher value amounts, interested parties can take out additional insurance when renting.