Basement burglaries rise 8% to more than 10,000

Break-ins at cellars rose by 8% last year to more than 10,000 cases across Austria, while burglaries at homes fell by 2%, ORF Kärnten reports, citing figures from the Road Safety Board.

Rainer Tripolt, head of the police crime prevention unit, advises people who store valuables in cellars to use sturdy locks and secure items with wall or floor anchors and a bow lock that can withstand an attack. E-bike owners can also take the battery into their home, he said.

Tripolt recommends covering cellar windows from the inside with plastic or textile film so valuables are not visible. Motion-activated lights can also deter burglars.

He also advised documenting valuables with photographs and recording vehicle chassis and serial numbers, which can help police investigate if items are stolen. Regularly checking cellar storage areas can help people discover a break-in quickly.