Criminal activity in Bonn Efforts against burglars bring results

BONN/REGION · There are fewer burglaries in Bonn and the region but householders should remain vigilant after six burglaries in Plittersdorf in the last five days.

 Well-secured doors and windows will deter burglars.

Well-secured doors and windows will deter burglars.

Foto: dpa

Bonn police registered around 1150 burglaries in their area in the first nine months of this year – fewer than in the same period last year.

The day when the last piece of the puzzle falls into place and, after meticulous work, they arrest a burglar, is something investigators from the criminal police work towards for weeks and months. There were several such days this year and at the end of last year, including the arrest of the so-called “window drilling gang”, and another gang stopped by investigators a few weeks ago that has so far had 60 cases attributed to it. A man who tried to break into 40 houses in one night in Hersel has also been taken out of circulation.

Investigators do not want to take all the credit for the success. Police spokesman Simon Rott said, “In many cases, neighbours play a part.” Their tips and observations have put the police on the right track.

In general, statistically at least, the picture for burglary is good in the Bonn police area. Uli Sievers, head of the third criminal police inspectorate, said this was not only because the start of the time of year when it is darker has not yet made a difference, but also because the number of total break-ins has fallen over the last two years. In 2013, Bonn was nicknamed a sort of “burglars’ capital”. At that time, around 1530 cases were recorded.

This year, investigators are somewhat concerned about Meckenheim and Bornheim, where there were more cases in the first nine months of the year than in the same period last year. The situation is different in other areas but the police are still not satisfied.

Every victim is one too many, says Mario Becker from the criminal police prevention unit. “Home is the most important place of retreat.” A burglary can permanently disrupt the atmosphere. Sometimes, “victims want to sell their property because they can’t live in it any more.” The material damage is one thing, but the emotional and psychological damage is often worse. Investing in securing property is money well spent. Many people seem to realise this: more than half of break-ins failed.

The authorities are holding an Action Week from Monday, 24 October to make people more aware and to give information and advice on protecting against burglaries in Bonn and the region.

Investigators also want to continue to act strongly against burglars. They want to be more visible, “because visibility works,” believes Sievers. On the one hand, cases are falling because of arrests and on the other hand because fewer thieves are coming. “Word is spreading that Bonn is heavily policed,” says Sievers. Police say that perpetrators, who come mostly from east and south-east Europe, are therefore not coming to Bonn and the Rhine-Sieg region.

Six burglaries in five days

In the last five days alone, burglars have tried six times to break into houses in Plittersdorf. According to police, they were unsuccessful once. Initial investigations show the burglars targeted houses which had been empty for several days. Houses on Ahrstraße, Erftstraße, Moselstraße and Lahnstraße and an apartment on Kolumbusring were targeted.

In five cases, the perpetrators managed to enter the houses from the rear by levering open doors and windows or smashing panes of glass. Police are asking anyone with information to call 0228 150.

(Original text: Ayla Jacob. Translated by Kate Carey.)

Meistgelesen
Neueste Artikel
Zum Thema
Aus dem Ressort