THE threat of burglary has increased with the August temperatures now that Cypriots are closing up shop and escaping to the beach or mountains.
Police will have to contend with a rash of cases that involve breaking and entering, petty theft and burglary over the next few weeks. Mid-August in Cyprus has always been a treasure trove for burglars, who suddenly find themselves with a plethora of empty shops and houses to raid.
The danger of burglary is high these days when everyone has left for vacation, Police Spokesman Demetris Demetriou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “Surely during these periods the hazards of burglaries and thefts are rapidly increasing. For that reason citizens have to co-operate with the police and take preventive measures. The police cannot stand outside of every house and every shop 24 hours a day, so for that reason each of us must take some basic measures to protect property.”
When asked whether burglars target the wealthy in particular, Demetriou replied that, “it all depends on the region”. As to whether crime has increased compared to part years, he said: “I would say no. It is the same.”
Jewellery and money are the most stolen items. Demetriou said that the maximum response time to a call regarding suspicious activity or a crime is between four and seven minutes, depending on the location of the patrol cars. “If our patrol car is in Strovolos and we get a call from Latsia, it might take seven minutes. But generally that is the maximum time.”
In recent months there have been some high-tech heists, including a March burglary in Peyia in which the burglars cut off the power and phone lines and disabled the alarm system. Demetriou rejected the possibility that such high-tech crimes are an increasing trend, stating that crime is “not necessarily more sophisticated than before”.
The Police Spokesman confirmed that the majority of serious crimes involve theft and burglary. But he added that “the majority of burglaries and thefts are committed when they are given opportunities,” implying that the public can and should take measures to ensure that their vacations do not end with a scowl.
The police offers the following advice to keep homes and shops secure:
• If your house has an alarm system, verify before leaving the house that the system is working.
• If you own any jewellery or anything else of great value, either take it with you or if possible store it somewhere in the house where the burglars will not think of looking.
• Do not leave large sums of money in the house.
• Verify all the doors and windows are closed before you leave.
• Inform your neighbours or relatives that you are on holiday and ask them immediately to inform the police if they see anything suspect, whether a person or vehicle.
• To report suspicious activity or a crime, call 192, 1460 or 112.
