The Grand Ducal Police reported that they distributed around 17,000 leaflets during the second week of November to mailboxes in the Luxembourg City districts most affected by burglaries in cellars and common garages.
In recent years, the police have noted an increase in burglaries in cellars and garages, mainly in residences. This is a phenomenon becoming increasingly widespread compared to other types of burglaries. It represented almost 50% of all burglaries across Luxembourg in summer 2023. Attributed to supply crime, the phenomenon is prevalent in the capital and, to a lesser extent, in southern towns of Luxembourg.
In view of this development, the police's efforts in this area have increased in recent years. In addition to regular preventive patrols in uniform or in civilian clothes, targeted actions and police interventions, arrests and investigations, various steps have been taken in terms of awareness-raising. In addition to social media and the police website, the police engage with unions and residence managers, attend demonstrations with a mobile prevention exhibition and provide free home consultations through the National Crime Prevention Service.
In order to raise awareness among particularly concerned residents, leaflets including protection and prevention advice were distributed during the week of 13 November 2023 to nearly 17,000 addresses around the Luxembourg-Gare, Hollerich, Gasperich, Bonnevoie-Nord, Verlorenkost and Cessange districts.
The police advised citizens not to open the main entrance door to the residence without checking. They recommended always locking access to cellars and private garages and avoiding keeping any valuable items in those spaces. Additionally, it was suggested to secure bicycles in cellars and garages. In the case of meeting unfamiliar people at the residence, the advice was not to hesitate to call the police. It was emphasised to immediately alert the police at the emergency number 113 in the event of suspicious sightings.
The National Police Crime Prevention Service is available to citizens to inform them about different forms of crime. By appointment, agents can also carry out free home visits to carry out an analysis of the weak points of a home and provide tailor-made advice. This service will be available with its mobile prevention exhibition at the Luxembourg City market at Place Guillaume II on Tuesday 6 December 2023 from 08:00 to 14:00.