Police advice ahead of the summer holiday

The Banja Luka Public Security Centre appeals to citizens to take appropriate measures during the holiday season to reduce the risk of situations where criminal individuals, taking advantage of inattention and absence, might steal or endanger their property, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The Banja Luka Public Security Centre advises that if you know your neighbours are away and you hear a sudden noise in their apartment, call the police on the toll-free number „122“ because this will help police officers to immediately go to the scene and possibly catch the perpetrator in the act. You do not have to identify yourself; the call can be anonymous.

- Also, we advise citizens to take certain measures and be cautious during the holiday season and on weekends when you are not in your apartment or house. If you are leaving your apartment for a short time, always lock the front door of your home, do not leave windows or balcony doors open, because criminal individuals skilfully use such opportunities, enter your apartment unnoticed, and in a very short time take money, gold jewellery, and other suitable items. It is also recommended not to lower the blinds on the windows all the way, because potential perpetrators also monitor this. If they notice that the blinds have been lowered for a few days, they will immediately conclude that no one is in the apartment.

Do not leave keys under the doormat, in slippers, flower pots, and the like, because criminals know about hiding keys in those places. Also, do not leave keys in vehicles, no matter how briefly you leave the vehicle.

If you are going on holiday, inform your neighbours about it; they will pay more attention to your apartment or house, and entrust gold jewellery to close relatives for safekeeping.

Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility, so observe the movement of suspicious unknown persons near your apartment, house, and parking lot, and if something seems suspicious to you, immediately notify the police, in order to timely prevent the commission of a criminal offence or catch the perpetrator at the scene.