Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) It took a couple of minutes for 36-year-old Manoj Sharma, who returned to his Pitampura home in north Delhi after a week-long summer vacation, to realise that something was amiss. The house had been burgled. Like the Sharma home. nearly 130 such cases were reported across the capital last month alone.

“I pushed the main door of my house, but it was locked from inside,” said Sharma, a course coordinator at the Footwear Design Development Institute. He then glanced towards the balcony of his first floor apartment and was shocked to see that a window and the door were ajar.

Sharma and his wife, who had gone to Pune for a summer break, were shocked to see on May 29 that their house had been ransacked and valuables stolen.

“My husband climbed a water pipe and reached the balcony and entered the house to open the main door,” his wife Niti said.

“We found that jewellery and valuables worth Rs.4.5 lakh were missing,” said Niti, a scientist at the defence ministry.

Police say the burglars must have zeroed in on their apartment the moment they noticed that it was locked.

According to police, unoccupied houses during summer months are a treat for thieves, who realise that the occupants are safely away.

A total of 127 house theft cases were reported from across the city in May 2011. The average for the first four months of this year is 122.

Last year, 119, 120 and 115 theft cases were registered in the months of May, June and July respectively.

But police say people can have a tension-free holiday if they take a few precautions.

“Tell your neighbours, maid, milkman and security guards of your area that you are leaving for a vacation. Your neighbours are your best eyes and ears,” Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told IANS.

Depositing cash and jewellery at bank lockers before leaving for vacations is always a good idea, police say.

Thieves often disguise themselves as utility workers. Neighbours should alert the police if they see an unfamiliar face in the area.

“Also, install heavy iron rods at the bottom of sliding glass doors so that they cannot be jimmied open. Install heavy iron grills at the doors and windows. If you are out, drop the drapes to prevent anyone from looking in,” said Bhagat.

Police also recommend installing hidden closed-circuit cameras inside the home, and leaving the lights on in at least one room, walkway, staircase or balcony.

“We also advise people to install alarm systems in houses,” said Bhagat.

Another useful tip is to prune the high trees and bushes in the garden, as they obstruct the view of your home, thus providing a helpful cover to burglars.

Cars and bikes should be parked in designated government parking zones, rather than outside your house on roads with no proper security arrangements, police say.