Knocker with criminal energy: burglar caught in Prenzlau!

Knocker with criminal energy: burglar caught in Prenzlau!

A short trip to the toilet can sometimes take unexpected turns, as a recent incident in Prenzlau shows. On June 16th, a man used the outdoor toilet of an allotment on Max-Lindow-Straße and immediately followed up with his criminal intentions. As the SVZ reports, the uninvited guest, who was filmed by a surveillance camera, was not able to fully implement his plan. After using the toilet, he tried to gain entry to a garden shed after tearing down a string of lights.

For better or worse, the lock on the garden house held firm and prevented the break-in. The police were able to quickly identify the 35-year-old man thanks to the video recordings. Proceedings were initiated against him for attempted theft in a particularly serious case and damage to property. An incident that shows how valuable safety precautions are in leisure and recreational areas.

Burglars under pressure

A total of 4,446 theft crimes were recorded in allotment gardens, gazebos and bungalows in Germany in 2023. The Saxon police reported that 3,553 cases were burglaries under aggravating circumstances. Statistics show that break-ins occur particularly frequently during the spring months. While the most thefts were recorded in March with 535 cases, August was the month with the fewest reports - just 270.

The items that are frequently stolen are often everyday items such as tools, construction and gardening equipment. Food and electrical devices are also very popular with thieves. The total damage for the year amounted to around 1.8 million euros and 24% of the cases were solved. These figures clearly show that allotment gardens as places of relaxation not only provide a beautiful atmosphere, but are also exposed to a high risk.

Prevention measures are required

To prevent such incidents, experts have some recommendations. A sturdy, high garden fence, together with a solid lock on the garden gate, is a good start. Garden equipment and tools should also be securely locked in the garden house and visibly placed valuables, such as luxurious furniture or satellite dishes, should be better removed or hidden. In the event of a break-in, you need to act quickly: the police should be notified immediately and changes on site should be avoided.

The burglary statistics for 2025 also point to a worrying trend. With an increase of 25% compared to 2020, urban areas in Germany in particular are seeing increasing burglary numbers. Over 100,000 burglaries are forecast for the current year. While technological innovations such as AI-powered security systems can offer significant improvements in burglary protection, the need for vigilance and prevention remains essential. Community-based safety systems can also help strengthen neighborhood safety.

In order to further improve protection against burglary, we recommend using information material such as the brochure “How can you protect gazebos and bungalows from burglary?” from the Saxony State Criminal Police Office. The neighborhood is not only an ally, but also a piece of security that we should not neglect.

A short visit to the toilet can cause a lot of excitement. At least for the unfortunate burglar, his plan turned out to be less than successful, but the lesson remains that prevention and vigilance are more important than ever.

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