Intruders up to their tricks in the canton

It has been reported how, in recent days, unknown people have been ringing doorbells at residential properties in a number of municipalities in the canton to find out if flats are occupied. If not, they could well be burgled.
 
A trick these potential intruders use is to ask the person who answers if they know a certain person, simply choosing a name at random, or alternatively, asking if they want some service carried out. If they have engaged with someone like this, they make off soon afterwards. However, if no-one answers, they attempt a break-in.
 
The police have issued the following advice for people confronted with strangers at the door. If the person ringing is unknown, then the door should not be opened. In order to make sure the person ringing realises the flat is not unoccupied, the resident should indicate, either through the door intercom or speaking from behind a closed door, or by indication through a window, that no visit is wanted at this time.
 
Furthermore, if the property is a communal one, individual residents should not press the button to open the door to allow anyone access to the entrance hall without knowing who the person calling is.
 
Residents should not hesitate to call police using the 117 number if they see anyone acting in a suspicious way in the building or local area or if they see cars being driven unusually slowly or parked in odd places. The same applies if they hear unusual noises from within the building or in the neighbourhood. If they do see any of the afore-mentioned, then police advise taking a mental note of the persons’ appearance and clothing, or the make, colour and possibly number-plate of any vehicles concerned.