Of all places, the home is believed to be the safest. However, when someone breaks into the house and takes away all the life’s savings and other possessions, it leaves the victim completely shattered.
A series of burglaries reported in various parts of the Capital in the recent past has caused genuine public concern. The most surprising part is that the burglars have targeted flats in gated complexes that are guarded round-the-clock by private security personnel.
In the early hours of this past Wednesday, four locked flats in a group housing society in Sector 6 of Dwarka were targeted. The burglars broke into the houses after bolting the doors of neighbouring flats and made off with cash and jewellery. Surprisingly, the security guards deployed at both the entry and exit gates did not notice anything suspicious.
Earlier this month, burglars broke into two flats and attempted theft in another at Parwana Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase-I in the early hours of the morning, shortly after the area Station House Officer left the society complex after night patrolling. Not long ago, another flat in the same complex was targeted.
This past November, burglars had struck at a couple of flats within a short span of time at Samachar Apartments in the same area.
A common aspect of all these cases is that the security guards deployed at all the apartments had absolutely no clue to the incidents. Such burglaries in guarded complexes have created a sense of insecurity among the residents.
One of the theories the police are now looking at is suspected involvement of an insider. As the burglars had specific information about the locked flats, it is possible that an insider could have tipped them off.
While burglars keep trying new ways to evade detection, some gangs have lately employed a novel modus operandi that has become a major cause for concern. Before decamping with the loot, this new breed of criminals set the house on fire apparently to destroy all evidence.
The police recently claimed to have smashed a couple of gangs indulging in such offences, but another such incident was reported in East Kidwai Nagar the other day.Many police officers feel that such incidents can be checked only with active cooperation of the residents. “In gated complexes, guards should keep an eye on suspicious-looking visitors. Closed-circuit television cameras should also be installed along the periphery walls. Before going out on vacation, house owners should inform the beat staff. If possible, residents should also install burglar alarms to alert neighbours,” says a police officer. For their part, the police need to evolve a strategy to investigate burglary cases, analyse each offence and keep a record of those arrested in previous cases. “The police should also identify vulnerable pockets, conduct periodic surveys and suggest security measures to the residents,” suggests the officer.
