Kreis Siegen-Wittgenstein
- Media and public relations -
Koblenzer Str. 73
57072 Siegen
Telephone: 0271 333-2308/ 2301
Telefax: 0271 333-2330
Email: presse [at] siegen-wittgenstein.de

It is very easy to set the right course here, especially if you are building a house or renovating your home. That's why the building authority and the district police authority have produced a flyer on the subject of "Burglary protection", which District Administrator Andreas Müllers is now presenting. In future, the flyer in postcard format will be sent out automatically as part of building permit procedures.

"I am delighted that the Prevention Department and the district's building authority have worked so closely and well together to make young builders aware of specific measures to prevent burglaries even before construction begins," emphasizes District Administrator Andreas Müller, who is the head of both authorities involved: "The police know from a wide range of experience that burglaries are often a shock for those affected. When someone breaks into your own four walls, it is often extremely stressful - for a long time. As part of the "Riegel vor!" campaign, the police and building authorities would like to provide valuable tips on how to protect yourself as well as possible against burglars."

Criminal Chief Inspector Stefan Dax, a proven burglary protection expert and technical advisor to the Siegen criminal investigation department, and Ramona Stahl, Head of Department at the Siegen-Wittgenstein District Office for Building and Immission Control, emphasize in unison: "With the flyers, we would like to address young building owners, architects and other interested parties in particular, who, for example, want to make changes of use or major renovations.For example, those planning changes of use or major renovations to residential buildings. We are convinced that it is more than sensible and also more cost-effective to integrate measures to protect against burglars right from the start in the upcoming construction considerations. It is therefore only prudent to give the right, pioneering thought to the initial phase of a construction project."

Good bolts in front of windows and doors often lead to burglars stopping their break-ins early on. Burglars want to get into the house quickly. Good security means delay - and therefore an increased risk for the perpetrators, which they very often do not take.

"For such locking systems and other structural measures to improve burglary protection in existing rental apartments and owner-occupied homes, you can receive funding from the state of NRW in the form of low-interest loans," explains Ramona Stahl. "These funds can be applied for regardless of income - at the housing promotion office in the district hall."

From the point of view of the Prevention Department, cooperation with the district building authority also makes sense because the building authority automatically has contact with future house builders as part of the approval process. This means that the campaign's main target group can be addressed directly. Of course, nobody has to accept the existing prevention offer from the police and no data is passed on from the building authority to the police. But anyone who wants to knows where they can obtain information on burglary protection thanks to the flyer.

Burglary protection has many facets, Stefan Dax is convinced: "Even the visibility or non-visibility of buildings or buildings is important. The visibility or non-visibility of buildings or properties also plays an important role here, for example. Keyword: planting. Where does it make sense to plant or create which large shrubs or trees? Such considerations are also best made at the beginning of a building project so that you can ideally benefit from it for the rest of your life. We want to create an appropriate awareness of the problem among young builders, from which everyone then benefits. With the exception of burglars!"

The "Riegel vor! Safe is safer" campaign pursues various objectives, namely to improve the security of houses and apartments against burglary, to make citizens more aware of suspicious incidents and to reduce any inhibitions about notifying the police as quickly as possible. With this in mind, the key messages of the campaign are: "Free advice on burglary protection from the police", "If you suspect a burglary, call 110!" and "Be alert!".

If you would like information on the topic of "burglary protection", you can obtain it from the crime prevention/victim protection department of the Siegen-Wittgenstein district police authority. The service is free of charge. The police station can be contacted during normal office hours on 0271 7099-4800.

This press release can also be found on the Internet at

http://www.siegen-wittgenstein.de

Further information on burglary protection can be found here...