Burglar alarm in Dubai

Dubai: Residents have been urged by the police to be extra vigilant during summer when break-ins, car jacking and other crimes register a spike with people going on vacations or indulging in leisure activities during the summer break.

Colonel Jamal Al Jallaf, Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department for Administration and Control, said "during summertime, thefts like house robberies, car jacking and mugging are most common".

In the first half of this year, 760 theft complaints were registered with Dubai Police against 1,200 for the entire year in 2010.

Unoccupied homes of residents travelling abroad are prime targets. "Some houses are easy pickings for burglars. Residents need to enforce strict security measures to protect their homes," he said.

Car jacking also registers an increase during this period and Al Jallaf said drivers should secure their cars while visiting groceries or restaurants. "In the case of car jacking, it usually occurs when drivers are distracted. For example, drivers leave their cars running so that they remain cool in the summer heat while stopping at a grocery store or a mall. That's when their cars are likely to be stolen," he said.

He also pointed out that bicycles and motorcycles are also subject to theft if residents fail to secure or lock them in a safe place. "Residents keep their bicycles or motorcycles in their porch or backyard or even garages, without securing or locking them."

Thefts by type

Police have also discerned a pattern in the type of people who commit certain crimes, Colonel Al Jallaf revealed. "Housekeepers usually steal clothes, artefacts, gold, jewellery, children's toys, home accessories and family photos.

"Pickpockets steal wallets and valuables from their victim's possession at the time of the crime.

"Home burglars are more likely to steal electronics (such as computers, laptops, television, stereos, mobile phones, MP3 players, microwaves… etc), as well as gold and jewellery."

He said muggers usually steal women's handbags and are mostly found lurking around banks. "This is because they are likely to steal from around their residential areas."

Tips to avoid theft