After a series of burglaries at the start of the darker season

A series of burglaries has occurred in the canton of Zug over the last ten days. According to the Zug Police, this is due to the autumn and winter season. The earlier onset of darkness favours the perpetrators.
 

There has been a recent increase in burglaries in the canton of Zug. On the night of Friday, 17th October, for example, unknown perpetrators broke into a commercial property on the Ruessenstrasse in Baar (we reported at the time). Once inside the building, they gained access to nine different companies and broke open a number of safes. There were two further break-ins at commercial properties in the same area during the same period.

The following night, there were break-ins at the mini golf courses in Cham, Unterägeri and Zug, as well as at the premises of the two lakeside swimming pools in Cham. The exact amount of damage and loss cannot yet be quantified in either case. But there has been a breakthrough in this case: the series of break-ins at the leisure facilities has now been solved, as the police announced on Wednesday. Two young people who do not live in the canton of Zug are responsible for the break-ins. The two 16-year-olds must now answer to the respective youth prosecution authorities (Jugendanwalt).  

The Villette Cham mini golf club says that the damage caused by the break-in amounts to a low four-figure sum. The value of the stolen goods was even lower. In short, the burglary was not worthwhile for the perpetrators. When asked whether the club would be taking greater security measures in future, the board of the mini golf club declined to comment further so as not to give future burglars any clues. Enquiries from the Zuger Zeitung newspaper about other recent burglaries also remained unanswered at the time of going to press.

The current prevention campaign ‘Together against burglary’, in which numerous German-speaking Swiss police forces, including that of Zug, are participating   Source: zvg
 

But why were there so many break-ins in such a short period of time? Is it because of the time of year and the early darkness in the evening? Frank Kleiner, deputy head of communications for the Zug Police, confirms this: ‘The experience of recent years confirms this view. The early onset of darkness in autumn and winter favours the perpetrators, as it makes them less conspicuous and it’s easier for them to determine whether anyone is at home.’

Burglars strike at locations where they feel they are unobserved. Needless to say, they try to avoid confrontation with residents or their neighbours. ‘In autumn/winter, they deliberately seek out unlit houses and flats, dark driveways and poorly secured properties,’ says Frank Kleiner. Criminals deliberately take advantage of the earlier darkness after the change to winter time, which is why burglaries can also take place before 6 pm.

Give the impression that there is someone in the property
To protect against burglaries, the Zug Police recommend, for example, installing timers that keep the rooms lit at various times. ‘This gives the impression that the house is occupied in the evening hours,’ explains Frank Kleiner. And doors and windows should always be closed, in order to make it as difficult as possible for burglars.

Additional mechanical security measures can also make the burglars' work more difficult. Kleiner: ‘The longer it takes criminals to break into a house, the greater the risk of them being discovered. We therefore recommend not leaving ladders, garden tools, garden chairs, easily movable tables and tools outside.’

Perpetrators like to use objects that they find on site. ‘As a rule, perpetrators act very quickly, which is why we rely on prompt reports from the public,’ continues the press spokesman for the Zug police. In the past, such reports have repeatedly led to arrests.

In order to combat burglary, the Zug police are increasing their presence in neighbourhoods, especially during the winter months, and are carrying out traffic checks on main roads and near motorway junctions. ‘We also place great emphasis on prevention work. The public is regularly informed about burglary protection and thus made more aware of the issue,’ says Frank Kleiner.

Together against burglary’
The ‘Together against burglary’ prevention campaign is currently underway, with numerous German-speaking Swiss police forces participating. Brightly coloured posters and flyers are being used to remind the public to call the emergency number 117 if they notice anything suspicious.

You should immediately report the following incidents to the police:
1. When unknown persons are acting suspiciously in the neighbourhood.
2. If unfamiliar vehicles are driving slowly around the neighbourhood.
3. If noises such as breaking glass or splintering wood are heard.
 

If you happen to catch a burglar in the act, you should under no circumstances try to restrain or overpower them. In such cases, the Zug police advise you to retreat immediately and then call them. "It’s best to note what the individuals looked like, what vehicle they used and in which direction they left. It is also useful if you can notice and memorise the vehicle's number plate," explains Frank Kleiner. But you should never put yourself in danger.

The scene of the crime should never be tidied up before the arrival of the police: ‘Important clues about the perpetrators could be lost. Those affected should wait for the police outside the property.’ It’s also important to be able to describe the stolen goods as precisely as possible afterwards. Kleiner: ‘Photos, receipts or warranty certificates for the stolen items, which contain important information, are ideal.’ This information will then be recorded in a Police Database, which is very valuable for the investigation.