Burglary: what you need to know
For the year 2021, the police recorded a total of 54,236 burglaries.
In addition, the detection rate has increased. Still, it is useful to know the best way to behave during burglaries and after, and how to protect yourself from burglars.
Table of contents.
What should you do if you notice a burglar in your home?
What should you think about after a burglary?
Burglary protection: security technology and other measures
What to do if your car has been broken into?
How to create a list of stolen goods?
What should you do if you notice a burglar in your home?
You come home or wake up in the middle of the night – and realise that someone has broken into your flat (for example, the door of the flat or house or a window may have been broken open).
It is understandable if you are scared right now. Still, you should try to stay calm.
Follow these tips if you notice a burglar:
Be noticed : If a burglar knows he is going to be caught, he usually stops the theft and tries to escape.
Avoid confrontation: Give the offender a chance to escape. This will prevent a scuffle or a thoughtless, dangerous reflex reaction from the offender.
Remember details about the offender: When you see the burglar, try to remember as many details about his appearance as possible. This will help the police trace the offender later. It also helps, if possible, to write down the registration number of the getaway car.
Call the police! Burglary is a serious crime. In the case of burglary , convicted offenders can face a jail term of 6 months to 10 years.
The offence is not classified as “burglary” de jure, but often as “breaking and entering”.
You should take such measures even if it is not theft, but one or more attempted burglaries.
You can usually tell this by a window or door that is clearly damaged by someone else’s hands, but there is no evidence of a break-in in the apartment or a theft.
There is a risk that the attempted burglary will happen again. Attempted burglary is also punishable under the STGB.
What should you think about after a burglary?
Too late! The perpetrator is already gone and your flat is destroyed.
Even in this case, you should remain calm despite the shock. Leave everything as it is and call the police and your liability insurance.
Take photos of the crime scene and create a so-called stolen property list – i.e. a list of the things that were stolen.
If you find that your identity card has been stolen during a burglary, be sure to know how to deactivate any existing online identity feature so that the perpetrator cannot make various purchases and the like in your name.
More information on what to do after a burglary can be found here .
Burglary protection: security technology and other measures
Burglary protection: security technology and other measures
Of course, it is best if burglars do not enter your flat right away. The right burglary protection can help you in such cases.
So always close all windows before you leave and lock the door to your flat – if you just close it, criminals can easily break it open to commit a theft.
You should also give the impression that someone is at home when you are away, for example by turning the lights or television on and off with a timer.
It also makes sense to install appropriate security technology for your flat or house to protect yourself from burglary and theft. For example, you can have a security lock installed on your door, which is fitted with a particularly secure locking cylinder.
Read more tips on making your home burglar-proof here.
What to do if your car has been broken into?
As with a home burglary, if your car has been broken into and something stolen from it, call the police immediately and leave the scene undisturbed.
Also inform your insurance company about the theft and make a list of stolen items.
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