Police say only a quarter of burglaries ever solved
ALMOST 75 per cent of all the burglaries which that took place last year went unsolved, according to the latest police statistics.
Out of a total of 2,830 reported burglaries across the island, only 725 were solved, a success rate of 25.6 per cent.
A One Strovolos resident told the Cyprus Mail that she was unhappy with the way authorities were dealing with the recent rise in theft and the police should be doing more to clamp down on the problem.
Sylvie Ioannou who was herself a recent victim of a burglary of the burglars said: “I woke up on the morning of April 12 and everything seemed fine. But when I couldn’t find my handbag or keys, I realised that something was wrong.
“The police found a glove print on a window, saying burglars had climbed through it, as it was not locked from the inside.”
The handbag contained £15, US$300 US dollars, 50 euros, 40 Guernsey pounds and several credit and ID cards. A PSP games console was also taken.
“The police claim the perpetrators entered the house between one and four in the morning, as that’s when people are sleeping deeply,” Ioannou said.
“They think the burglary was committed by drug users who need cash. They stake out neighbourhoods, looking for unlocked doors and windows. The police also said that they’re not violent and when confronted in the past, some attempted to run away or broke down in tears.”
But she was left far from impressed by the actions of the force. “The police are never ready to give me answers as to how the investigation is proceeding,” she said.
“They really should launch a campaign warning people to be on their guard, but they have done nothing so far.”
A British man whose Larnaca home was burgled on Tuesday, was full of praise for the police though. David Thornton said the force “has been brilliant here”, sending specialists from Nicosia to take DNA samples from the crime scene.
“It’s obvious that they’re trying to help not only me, but all burglary victims. In England, they wouldn’t have done half the things to help that they’ve done here.”
Thornton’s rented house in Pervolia village was broken into, with the thieves walking away with a suitcase containing £30,000, which was to be used as a deposit for a home purchase. Another bag containing £3,000 in cash was also taken, along with a digital camera, passport, driving licensce and two credit cards.
When asked why he had such a large amount of cash hidden in the house and whether he suspected anyone of the theft, Thornton said he had been instructed by the police not to say too much while the investigation is ongoing.
There has been a spate of burglaries in the Nicosia district over the past week. Four incidents were reported last Thursday alone.
In Kokkino Ttrymithia, 2,000 DVD’s and Playstation games were stolen from DVD Planet, as well as an Isuzu pick-up truck worth £2,000, which was used as the getaway vehicle.
In the Dhali industrial area, burglars broke into offices and stole money, phones, digital cameras and sunglasses.
Money and jewellery worth £10,000 were taken from a Strovolos house, while £2,000 worth of tools were stolen from a furniture store in Palio Metoho.
The police yesterday issued guidelines, advising people of precautionary measures they should take to avoid becoming a victim.
People have been urged to install CCTV and alarms for their homes, lock valuables away in safes, lock cars and park them in well-lit areas with no valuables in sight, and to lock external doors and windows which should be constructed from sturdy materials. It is also advisable to ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the property if the homeowner is away.
Yesterday, a 17-year-old from Nicosia, wWhile being questioned on sexual abuse charges against an underage girl yesterday, a 17-year-old from Nicosia admitted to committing 26 burglaries and thefts from churches, schools and supermarkets.
The youth also admitted to committing arson on two school buildings. The crimes have all taken place in Nicosia in 2006.
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