Going on a vacation? Have you locked your house properly?

As the cases of thievery and house burglaries are on the rise, many citizens are now scared to go out from their homes for long holidays, short trips, visiting relatives or even temples. With so many theft cases being reported people do not want to leave their goods and cash for the thieves. The city police suspect that outsiders who come to work as construction labourers and in other sectors are behind these thefts and houses that are in extension areas are an easy target.

"Two months ago one of my relatives had gone to Tirupati house and he returned to find his house burgled. In another case, there was a housebreak. The robber, who was well-built, could be threatened only with a licensed gun as the police arrived late. HRS Layout and other extension areas of the City are prime targets for such thieves as these areas are well connected with main roads and it is easy for them to escape,"  said Kavitha Reddy, Member Resident Welfare Association, HSR 1st Sector.

Executive President, North East Residents Welfare Association (NERWA) DS Rajashekhar says, going on holidays, short trips, visiting any temples away from the area and meeting relatives all have become very risky as it literally plays into the hands of such elements. "Recently a house in Banaswadi 1st block was burgled. This is not new in Banaswadi and its surroundings. As these cases are on the rise, community policing has been intensified where group of residents are split in groups and make rounds during day and late evenings," he said.

Venkatesh, member, Maruthi Sevanagar says, the residents who come for meeting have been told to install CCTVs and remain vigilant. The residents need to keep a watch in their respective areas and report  any suspicious movement. "One CCTV in each junction is enough to have a check on strangers and suspected persons," said Venkatesh.

A senior police officer from Bengalaru East Zone says the police has already cracked 864 cases out of 4,426 and the investigation is on to solve the rest of the house theft cases. "We suspect that the arrested in connection with house theft cases may also be responsible for the crime in other areas. The interrogation is on and the investigations officers in the concerned police station are working on the leads they have got so far," said the officer.

Meanwhile, the police has also asked house owners to keep their respective resident welfare associations and local police station in the loop in case if they are going on long holidays and keeping their homes locked so that the particular houses can be put on a check list.

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• locked houses
• Bengaluru theft cases
• resident welfare associations