Break-in in Hamm: jewelry thieves escaped through the bathroom window!

Break-in in Hamm: jewelry thieves escaped through the bathroom window!

At dusk on January 17, 2026, a single-family home in Hamm-Süden was the victim of a burglary that took place between 5:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. Unknown perpetrators gained access to the property on Am Hülsenbusch street by breaking open a rear bathroom window. During their search in the premises, the burglars were able to steal jewelry, but beyond that, no further information about stolen goods is currently known. After the successful theft, the perpetrators fled undetected.

The police have started an investigation and are asking the public for information. Anyone who has observed something suspicious or can provide information about the suspects is asked to call 02381 916-0 or email hints.hamm@polizei.nrw.de. The incident could give serious impetus to discussion about safety in the neighborhood.

Break-in dynamics in Germany

Unfortunately, home break-ins are not an isolated incident. According to current statistics, breaking into residential buildings is one of the most common crimes in Germany. In 2023, around 119,000 thefts were recorded nationwide, of which 77,800 were classified as residential burglaries. This represents a significant increase after the Corona lockdowns, with the number of cases reaching the highest level since 2019, although still over 50 percent lower than in the record year 2015.

The urban environment is particularly badly affected - here the risk of becoming a victim of a break-in is significantly increased. Cities such as Bremen, Berlin and Hamburg top the list of burglary statistics, while Bavaria is considered the federal state with the lowest number of burglaries. Mülheim an der Ruhr recorded the highest burglary rate in 2023 with 283 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, in comparison, the city of Fürth has the lowest rate with just 33 cases.

Consequences for those affected

The effects of a break-in are diverse and extend beyond material damage. In addition to the loss of valuables, many victims suffer from the loss of their privacy and a damaged sense of security. Psychological stress is a common consequence of these stressful events. The police say that the clearance rate for residential burglaries in 2023 was only 14.9 percent, which could further increase uncertainty among citizens.

The investigating authorities registered over 9,890 suspects last year, with an increased proportion of 42.9 percent of solved cases being of foreign origin. These aspects underscore the importance of keeping an eye on suspicious activity in the neighborhood and supporting one another.