Holiday Season: Houses, Apartments, Catering Facilities Targeted by Thieves...

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska appeals to citizens to take additional measures to protect their property during the holiday season and thus reduce the risk of burglaries, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

In the first six months of this year, police officers reduced the number of serious thefts by 5.9 percent compared to the same period last year through planned activities. In this period, 1,015 serious thefts were recorded, and out of the total number of recorded serious thefts, 125 cases were attempted crimes. 936 reports were filed against 513 individuals to the competent prosecutor's offices. The most frequent targets of serious thefts were houses and apartments (437), commercial and catering facilities (145), and garages, basements, and sheds (119), among others.

- To protect themselves from burglars and make their homes safer, citizens are advised not to leave windows or balcony doors open, nor blinds down, while away from their apartments. Valuables (money, jewelry, and other valuable items) should be entrusted to someone they trust. It is also recommended not to leave apartment keys in "hidden places," but to give them to a trusted person who will visit the house or apartment more often, occasionally lighting up the rooms and emptying the mailbox so as not to give the impression that no one is home. Do not post messages about your absence on social networks; inform only those who absolutely need to know in person.

We appeal to citizens that if they notice unusual situations or suspicious behavior of unknown persons in their building, near their house, or in the immediate vicinity, they should immediately call the police at number "122".