Pune: If your are packing your bags to go on a long vacation this summer, have a quick look at these numbers.
From 969 cases in 2012 to 1,128 cases in 2013, house breaking incidents have crossed 424 until May 1 this year. What's more, cops say that vacation period that begin post-March is the favourite time for robbers to strike. In April 2013, 250 homes were broken into and by June 2013, the number increased to 266 cases.
Speaking about the modus operandi of house burglars, the additional commissioner of police (crime) Shahaji Solunke said during the day time, they conduct recce of the housing society and strike during nights.
"In summer, when people usually go on vacations or prefer sleeping on the terrace, burglars usually strike some locked flats or bungalows and make away with valuables," he said. He added that burglars even lock flats of some societies from the outside and cover peep-holes of doors with sellotape so that person inside the flat can not see outside and step out. Sometimes, they even sneak inside the flat posing as plumbers, vendors or salesmen to conduct recce of houses.
Most incidences of house breaking occur during the night or afternoons, and many people fall asleep, leaving homes unwatched and vulnerable to thefts.
Solunke said, "We noticed that robbers start attacking houses in mass-robbery style (starting from upward to downward) and they play music while breaking locks to avoid alerting people. After committing the offence, the culprit throws the valuable out of windows or the lobby area, so that one cannot suspect them."
A senior police officer said during vacations, gangs monitor flats in which lights have not been switched on for a few days. This gives them a fair idea about houses that are locked. Similarly, vehicles that are left unattended for several days come under their radar.
Cops said that they are meeting asking housing societies to ensure safety by installing CCTV cameras, deploying security guards, making sure that security guards make entries of outsiders such as plumbers, hawkers, electricians and other domestic help.
Cops have also deployed beat marshals and asked them to visit the societies and keep up communication with office bearers of housing societies.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}