The prevention campaign "Riegel vor! Safe is safer" is aimed at improving the security of citizens' homes against burglary, increasing awareness of suspicious perceptions and reducing any inhibitions about notifying the police as quickly as possible.

27. - 29.10.2023: NRW police action days against domestic burglary

Of course, the Siegen-Wittgenstein police will also be there:
Siegen crime expert answers your questions on the phone! And will be out and about himself on 27.10. to make those affected aware of potential sources of danger as part of prevention patrols.

The good news first: the district police authority in Siegen-Wittgenstein has been recording falling burglary figures for years. In 2015, there were still 535 residential burglaries across the district; in 2017, there were "only" 254 crimes. By 2021, the number had almost halved to 129, which was certainly also due to the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. But the number of domestic burglaries also stagnated last year at 129. This year, however, it is clear that the number of cases is rising again. The police would therefore like to use the campaign days to draw attention to this important issue.

The dark season nevertheless means an increasing risk of burglary.

Thieves use the cover of darkness to carry out their mischief. Unlit, dark homes indicate that the residents are absent, which is a plus for burglars. Appropriate technical security measures can help to provide the best possible protection against burglars. But good neighborliness is also an effective protection against burglars.

All open questions on the subject of burglary will be answered this weekend by Chief Inspector Stefan Dax. He is the expert from the district police authority in the crime prevention/victim protection department. He is available by telephone on 0271/7099-4813 at the following times:

Saturday, 28.10.2023: 08:00 - 16:00

Sunday, 29.10.2023: 08:00 - 16:00

In addition, on Friday, 27.10.2023, KHK Stefan Dax will carry out prevention patrols in the Siegen area with the respective district officers. In this context, he would like to make those affected aware of possible dangers and talk to people.

If you have any questions about burglary protection, please call and take advantage of our free advice service. If you don't (or can't) take advantage of this opportunity, here are our key messages about this campaign:

• Free advice on burglary protection from the police

• "In case of suspicion, call the emergency number 110!"

• "Be alert!"

A burglary is often a shock for those affected: many victims find the intrusion into their own four walls extremely stressful. In addition to the pure material damage and possibly the loss of irreplaceable mementos, many of them no longer feel comfortable in their own home. Insecurity and fear after a burglary therefore often weigh heavily on victims long after the crime.

Good bolts in front of windows and doors often lead to offenders breaking off their burglaries at an early stage. Burglars want to get into the house quickly. Good security means delay - and therefore an increased risk for the perpetrators.

But every citizen can also make an active contribution to preventing burglaries. The following always applies: Be alert! A culture of looking and acting makes it difficult for thieves. Anyone who keeps an eye on their surroundings and neighborhood and notices suspicious persons or events should report this to the police immediately by calling 110. This behavior is very effective in helping to spoil the perpetrators' game before they commit the crime.

One thing must be clear to everyone: burglars don't just break into houses at night and during vacation periods. It often happens just when the residents are "only away for a moment". The perpetrators are in a hurry and take advantage of every opportunity.

Here are the comprehensive tips from the Siegen-Wittgenstein crime experts on how to protect yourself from unwanted guests:

• Secure possible weak points in your house/apartment (e.g. house and apartment entrance doors, balcony or patio doors, windows, cellar entrances) by installing tested
  security technology. Prying open well-secured doors and windows costs the perpetrator time and causes noise
• Even if you are only going away for a short time, lock your front door as often as possible. The perpetrator will open a door that has only been locked in a matter of seconds.
• Keep the front door of apartment buildings locked during the day. Before pressing the door opener, check who wants to enter the house (e.g. by looking out of the window).
  Only let people in who want to come in or who are known to "belong in the house".
• Never leave the key on the inside of apartment/house doors with glass panels.
• Avoid hiding keys outside, e.g. to be able to help yourself in the event of an involuntary lock-out, because: Burglars know every hiding place.
• If you have lost your key, replace the lock cylinder immediately
• Lock windows, balconies and patio doors, even if you only leave for a short time - because tilted windows are open windows.
• Also secure windows and balcony doors on upper floors, as burglars are sometimes real climbing artists. Ladders, garden furniture, crates, garbage cans, trellises, etc. can be used as climbing aids.
• Lower the shutters at night only, otherwise the impression is created during the day that the residents are not there
• Always lock the doors to cellars and attics.
• Basement light wells and basement windows should be secured with solid, well-anchored grilles or gratings, for example.
• Allow relatives, acquaintances, neighbors or "housekeepers" to occupy the apartment or house or make it appear occupied during longer absences: Empty the letterbox, operate the shutters, curtains, lights, radio and television irregularly.
• Do not leave a message about your absence on the answering machine.
• Inform your neighbors about the use of timers for shutters, lighting, radio, etc.
• Do not leave valuables lying around openly at home.
• Mark your valuables clearly (engraving, UV pens, etc.) and write down the most important data in a list of valuables. Take photos of items that are difficult to describe.

Keep particularly important or valuable items (e.g. documents, savings books, collections, gold or jewelry) that you rarely need in a safe deposit box at your bank. If you want to keep these things in your home, place them in a certified safe (e.g. a safe).

Be a good neighbor! Watch out for unknown persons, vehicles and/or suspicious situations "next door". In suspicious cases, alert the police immediately by calling 110.

Get advice from the police. Information on securing your house or apartment can be obtained during normal office hours (Mon-Fri, 08.00 - 16.00) from the Prevention Department (Tel. 0271-7099-4800) of the Siegen-Wittgenstein District Police Authority. The police department can also provide you with information about manufacturers of tested and certified burglar-resistant products and companies that can professionally install security technology.