Police warn of basement burglars

(CS) Underground car parks and basements of larger apartment blocks have been targeted increasingly by burglars, with police urging vigilance.

Luxembourg officials on Thursday said that there had been a rising number of burglaries in apartment blocks, with thieves accessing the building through the front door, which in many so-called “résidences” is often unlocked or they are buzzed in by unsuspecting residents.

Burglars have also been accessing the basements and underground car parks by sneaking in through open garage doors.

Police have therefore issued a number of recommendations, urging residents for vigilance.

• Always check who is ringing to be let into the building;
• always lock apartment and cellar doors;
• secure bicycles and motorcycles with additional locks;
• ask strangers you see in the building who or what they are looking for;
• immediately notify police (113) of suspicious vehicles, especially vans, spotted in the area and note the licence plates;
• lock connecting doors between the underground car park and residential part of the building;
• install bars on basement windows;
• store valuables, such as tyres, eletronics, etc in a lockable basement room.