Home burglary: Identifying suspicious behavior
Is that correct?
You see someone in your neighborhood looking into different houses with great interest. That person walks away for a moment, comes back, and walks around the house. It's a little strange, and you feel that something isn't right.
Even if you are unsure, call the police on 112. The police would rather respond once too often than not enough. Your tip could help the police prevent burglaries. Did you know that the police solve 80% of residential burglaries thanks to the vigilance of neighbors?
How can you recognize a burglar?
There is no one type of burglar. Burglars can be professional and organized, but they can also be boys and girls from your own neighborhood who break in. It is best to pay attention to the behavior of people walking around your neighborhood. You know what is normal in your neighborhood. You know when familiar or unfamiliar people walk by. You know which routes are normally driven and cycled. You know places where it makes sense to stop or where you should keep walking. Unusual behavior could mean that a burglar is on the prowl. If you notice anything suspicious, call the police immediately on 112.
What constitutes suspicious behavior?
Many burglars prepare (well) before breaking in. They select a house, assess how easy it will be to get inside, and look from the outside to see what loot is up for grabs. They also assess how quickly they can get away and whether local residents are paying attention. So they walk around investigating, walk the same route several times, look inside houses, ring doorbells, feel doors or windows, walk around houses, and sometimes hide tools or hard objects such as stones. Did you know that in some cases it is even a criminal offense to carry out preparatory acts?
What can you do yourself?
Keep an eye out (at your own home or your neighbors') for twigs against the door, pieces of paper between the door, or a flyer that has been stuck in the mailbox for days. These are clues that burglars may leave behind to determine whether someone is home or not.
If you see a suspicious person, approach them. Ask if they are looking for directions or need help. If the person is indeed preparing to commit a burglary, they may reconsider now that they feel caught.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this, call 112. Tell them what and who you see, and your report may help the police prevent a burglary. In some cases, it is even a criminal offense to carry out preparatory acts. So don't hesitate, call the police.
What does the police want to know?
The police will search for the person(s) you saw. That is why it is important to pay attention to their appearance. Write down what you saw:
- Height (taller or shorter than yourself)
- Build (fat or thin)
- Age (estimate)
- Hair color
- Hairstyle
- Clothing (color and type)
- Bag or backpack (color and type)
- Distinctive features such as tattoos or scars
- What type of vehicle? (make, model, color, and license plate number)
The police would rather come once for nothing than once too few!
Call 112, why not?
After a burglary, it often turns out that neighbors saw something unusual. And that they didn't call the police because they thought it was nothing. You don't have to worry that the police will immediately arrive with sirens and flashing lights. The person who takes the 112 call will first ask you what is going on. He or she will then assess whether the situation warrants sending officers.