Swiss break-ins average 128 a day as days shorten

Switzerland recorded an average of 128 break-in incidents a day last year, including sneak-in thefts, SRF reports. As days grow shorter, the Aargau cantonal police have launched a campaign offering advice on how to deter burglars.

The Swiss Federal Statistical Office recorded 34,755 burglaries last year, a 5 per cent increase on the previous year. Including sneak-in thefts, the total rose to 46,636 incidents.

Detached houses with large gardens can be attractive targets, police say. Trees and bushes may help burglars approach unseen, and cat flaps should be fitted so they cannot be used to open a door or window. The risk varies by canton: Basel-Stadt recorded 10.4 burglaries per 1,000 residents, followed by Solothurn with 9.8 and Vaud with 8.3. The highest risk was in western and northwestern Switzerland.

Police recommend locking doors even when at home. Residents are present in one in five break-ins, according to statistics. Timed lights and television simulators, which imitate the flickering light of a TV, are inexpensive ways to make a home appear occupied.

Bright outdoor lighting with motion sensors, surveillance cameras and alarm systems can also deter burglars. Cameras must be signposted and may film only private property. Alert neighbours can report suspicious people or vehicles to police, but police warn that civilian patrols can lead to vigilantism and dangerous situations.

Closed shutters can provide an extra barrier, though they may also signal that nobody is home or that residents are asleep. Police say tightly closed shutters offer better protection than slatted ones that are easy to open. Tilted windows should always be closed.

A permanently installed safe is the most secure option for valuables. Otherwise, police say, a cellar may be a less obvious place to hide them: burglars are more likely to look for jewellery, cash and other valuables in bathrooms or bedrooms.