Police warn: Social media can make searches dangerous!

Police warn: Social media can make searches dangerous!

Security in our residential areas is always at risk. Most recently, residents on Brahmstrasse in Duisburg reported suspicious activity early on Monday morning: two men were seen with flashlights in a residential building. Police responded quickly and arrested a 40-year-old man who had previously been identified on social media as a suspected burglar. A picture of the suspect was released as part of a manhunt that followed a residential burglary the previous week RP Online reported. His alleged accomplice was also temporarily arrested.

But not everything is as simple as it seems. The police urge caution and warn against private searches on social media. Publicly shared photos or assumptions about a person's suspicion not only violate their personal rights, but can also result in criminal prosecution. This highlights the importance of careful handling of such information as law enforcement investigations are essential.

In numbers: residential burglaries in Germany

Residential burglary (WED) has repeatedly caused concern in recent years. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the number of cases has changed drastically in the past. While there were 113,800 burglaries in 2009, this number rose to 167,136 by 2015. Thereafter there was a continuous decline, although this was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic as many people worked from home and border controls played a role. Nevertheless, the numbers have increased again in recent years: 65,908 residential burglaries were recorded in 2022 and 77,819 in 2023, although these values ​​are still below the level of 2019, when 87,145 burglaries were reported ( BKA, Statista ).

What is particularly noteworthy is that the proportion of attempted break-ins, which can often be averted through technical security measures, rose from 28.3% in 1993 to 46.3% in 2023. The risk is particularly higher in urban regions, while rural areas are less affected. Most perpetrators are often known to the police and belong to gangs that operate nationally.

Safety measures and prevention

The police have made it their mission to make combating residential burglaries one of their priorities. This is done through special WED officers and close cooperation with other security authorities at a supranational level. Over the years, various preventive measures have been implemented to better protect citizens and strengthen the population's sense of security. Deterrent technical measures in residential buildings have proven to be a good strategy for preventing break-ins.

In conclusion, the situation regarding residential burglary is subject to constant fluctuations and it is important to remain vigilant. The current events in Duisburg are just one example of how unpleasant surprises can always be expected, even in habitually safe neighborhoods.