The burglars are in full location. And they have a new way of knowing that a house is unoccupied.
Summer is the ideal season for burglars who infiltrate vacationers’ houses. But before taking action, thieves make location, observe the inhabitants, inquire, prowl around the accommodation … All habits are scrutinized in order to know precisely who is absent and for how long. In recent times, they had developed an innovative technique: that of dropping a white sheet in the mailbox. If she was not withdrawn for several days, it was a sign that the apartment was unoccupied. But this technique is now well known and no longer works. However, that does not discourage them: the thugs have just developed a new tip to designate their next victims.
This time, the burglars do otherwise: in addition to the white sheet placed in the mailbox, they launch another object in the gardens of the houses. It is indeed by throwing a colored notebook on the lawn that the crooks harvest the indications they want. Several “suspicious locations” have indeed been reported in Ariège, in Saint-Jean-du-Falga.
“In the event of a suspicious behavior or vehicle, call 17 immediately”recommends the municipality. Do not hesitate to “talk about it around you, to your neighbors, to isolated people, and to relay information“. The authorities encourage residents to”stay united and attentive for the safety of all“Throughout the summer period. Indeed, the number of burglaries is increasing each year. In 2023, intrusions in the main or secondary residences crossed the milestone of 217,000, marking an increase of 3 % compared to the previous year.
To avoid becoming a target, several simple gestures can make the difference: preventing your neighbors in the event of absence, raising the mail regularly, simulating a presence with programmed lights or a radio, and above all remain attentive to the unusual objects found in the gardens or on the public highway. If in doubt, alerting the police is the safest reflex.
