Residents warned against theft in summer RIYADH – As the use of security devices against burglary and theft have increased in homes and commercial establishments, so has the ingenuity of some of the burglars. With summer vacation around the corner, both citizens and foreigners are warned to be vigilant against these intruders, as the holidays remain the most opportune time for such crimes, according to a report in Al-Riyadh newspaper. Some home owners take precautions by installing security cameras outside their gates and around the perimeter of their homes while others arrange online monitoring service using remote cameras through the Internet from any corner of the global village. Some still install security alarms that sound an alarm whenever a fake key is inserted in the door. Some burglars have managed to circumvent these security measures through a variety of ways. They monitor the target for movement for days before they strike. They switch off the electricity power supply to the target while others blackout the surveillance cameras. Electronic gates pose some obstacle with the power cut off. If the gates are not sturdy, it is easy for some thieves to break the locking system, using state-of-the-art tools for that purpose. Some burglars enter the targeted home by climbing tress from adjacent and less protected homes. Jail is the breeding point of many thieves where they meet other professional thieves and plan their hit after their release. These thieves exchange notes and expertise, review latest techniques and work out diligent plans to execute them immediately after serving their jail term. Precaution on the part of home owners is the best means to prevent any burglary. They should take all the safety measures and reduce the chances or impact of burglary to the minimum. They should not keep any precious items or cash in their house while out on a trip. Similarly, home owners should not publicize their intended departures to one and all as this may alert potential thieves in the area. However, it is advisable to entrust that knowledge with a couple of close friends or relatives. Stories abound on the trickeries employed by thieves. In one instance, a man had set out for travel after asking his neighbor to keep a look on his house in his absence. During his absence, the neighbor noticed a truck parked in the court yard of his neighbor, with some men in coveralls removing air-conditioning units. When he queried them, they explained that the homowner had handed them keys of the house in order to carry out periodic maintenance on the air conditioners while he was away. The neighbor did not see any reason to doubt their story. He even asked them to undertake maintenance of his air-conditioners to which they readily agreed and took away his air-conditioners. However, they never came back with the airconditioners. Another thief had stolen the airconditioners of a mosque and hid them in his flat. When his friend who is also a professional thief saw them he advised him to remove the inscription on the airconditioners written in Urdu language saying: “Don't turn it super cool; it will be harmful to worshippers.” According to a study by the Anti-Crime Research Center under the Ministry of Interior, burglaries are a significant portion of the major crimes in almost all regions of the Kingdom, and especially in the major cities. About 75 percent of those involved in burglary are unemployed or students and most of them below 30 years of age. The study also indicated that more than half of the burglaries had been reported on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Burglary takes place at about 80 percent of homes where the owners are away and thieves have an easy accessibility to break into them.
