«Which house would you break into if you were a burglar? The one with or without a light?» laughs Peter Strohmeier, security consultant at the Zurich Cantonal Police. He’s been with the Cantonal Police for over 40 years. He spent many years working in the Criminal Investigation Department and then as an instructor. For the past nine years, he’s mainly been advising private individuals on all aspects of home security, analysing their situation and making recommendations.
His clients get in touch with him either through media reports, the police webpage, recommendations or the Safe Living in Switzerland association. When Strohmeier is asked why these people contact a security consultant, he explains that they have a variety of motives: «Around 50% come to us when their home or a home in their local neighbourhood has been burgled. For new builds, it’s often the architect who asks the client about an alarm system. The client then approaches us looking for advice.»
Custom-made consultancy
A consultation begins by highlighting simple rules of conduct. The basics for everyone may sound trivial, but they’re crucial. «This is because,» says Strohmeier, «a burglar really isn’t looking for a confrontation. In Switzerland, there are hardly any robberies that take place in bedrooms like the ones we see in films and TV series,» reassures Strohmeier. That’s why he always gives the following tips:
Lock all doors when you leave the house
Close any windows, balcony and patio doors
Close any windows that are tilted open
Leave a light on
Don’t leave any notes indicating that you’re not at home
If you follow these tips, the chance of being burgled is reduced significantly.
Weak spots: doors, locks, windows
The next step is to inspect the house or apartment and check for any weak spots. These are doors, locks and windows. Windows are opened either with a crowbar or by a person smashing them and then reaching in. Especially in older houses, it’s often a good idea to fit new windows. But he also looks at garage doors or basement shafts.
Strohmeier explains that burglars feel most comfortable in houses that are surrounded by high walls and hedges because they can’t be seen by neighbours or pedestrians on the street. That’s why he recommends making sure it’s possible for people to see into the garden. Putting a light there – triggered by motion sensor – also acts as a deterrent, as do lights in a house or apartment that turn on and off while you’re away.
After the consultation, the client is given an analysis of the weak spots in their apartment or house with proposed solutions and recommendations. Each year, the security consultants from the Zurich Cantonal Police conduct around 500 consultations within the canton (excluding Zurich city). Strohmeier also refers to the «Safe Living in Switzerland» association, which lists reputable security companies and alarm-system installers.
You can protect yourself against burglary!
(From Safe Living in Switzerland)
Anyone planning a break-in always looks for the path of least resistance. That’s why it’s important for potential victims to be aware of any structural, technical and organisational weak spots in the target property so they can take appropriate countermeasures.
Simple security measures are often enough to deter burglars from breaking in or to persuade them to give up. A security consultation from your local police and the members of the Safe Living in Switzerland (SWS) association will show you the burglary-prevention measures that might make sense to protect your property, taking account of your individual needs. They’ll also help you select the most suitable ones to protect against burglary.
Don’t wait to become a victim. Take precautions! It’s better to do it today than tomorrow.
There are, of course, solutions offering enhanced security in addition to the precautions mentioned above. These include professional alarm systems and security companies; they are currently more expensive and complicated. Read more in the blog Burglary – not at my home! But crime is on the rise in Switzerland
If you have any suspicions, call 117 – together we can beat burglars
Peter Strohmeier concludes with one final thought. He refers to the campaign «If you have any suspicions, call 117 – together we can beat burglars». He says, «If you see anyone unusual walking around your neighbourhood, notice anything else suspicious or hear odd noises, call the police.» Unfortunately, many people are reluctant to call the emergency number 117. He emphasises, «It’s better to call one time too many than one too few!»