DUBAI // More than 300 homes were burgled in Dubai last year, figures from the emirate’s police have revealed.
Col Jamal Al Jallaf from the Criminal Investigation Department said officers recorded 333 thefts from homes in 2014 and 321 in 2013.
Of last year’s incidents, 211 were in villas and 122 were in apartments. In 2013, 198 villas were raided and 123 apartments.
Dubai Police launched a campaign on Tuesday to raise awareness about home security in the coming months as many people are expected travel abroad for their summer holiday. They urged residents who live in villas to register with the police security system that will monitor their home in their absence.
“People can register for the service via the Dubai Police website or at the nearest police station,” said Col Al Jallaf. “The goal is to make people feel their property is safe while away.
“The police will be notified that the house will be empty, they will keep an eye on it and look out for any suspicious activity, such as a parked car outside or an open door.”
Last year, 282 people registered with the police’s home security service, an increase from 213 in 2013.
“Not a single one of the houses registered was robbed,” said Col Al Jallaf.
He added that although those living in apartments cannot register for the service, they can take precautionary measures.
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“We have a very low percentage of robberies in Dubai, but we need people to be aware and cautious with their property,” he said. “People should not keep their belongings lying around.”
Col Al Jallaf said people should also be careful when informing people they are leaving the country, citing an incident last year when a resident told a nearby grocer that he was going on holiday.
“When the man came back from holiday, he saw that his apartment had been robbed. After investigations, the grocer admitted to collaborating with others and robbing the house after he was told it would be empty,” said Col Al Jallaf.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
