Burglars use adhesive thread trick to spy on home

October 10, 2024, 10:36 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Burglars in Berlin are currently using a particularly perfidious trick to get into other people’s homes. The police are asking for help.

Even though the number of burglaries has been falling steadily in recent years, according to police crime statistics, these incidents still occur time and again. The police in Berlin have now reported a technique used by burglars to spy on other people’s homes. This is because the chances of not being caught are higher if they are not entered for a longer period of time – during the vacation season, for example. An adhesive thread attached to the door plays a special role for burglars.

Burglars use the adhesive thread trick

The adhesive thread method is a special technique that burglars use to find out whether the home has been unused for a long period of time. This can especially be the case during the vacation season. The burglars then gain access to the home.

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This is how the trick works: a thin thread is attached to the door using two adhesive dots. The “cobweb-like” thread is almost invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen with a flashlight. The thread is attached to the door and frame so that it would come loose when the door is opened. However, if it stays in place, there is a good chance that no one is in the apartment.

Note: The Berlin police are asking for help. If you see a thread or similar device on your front door or in your surroundings, you should contact the police (110).

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The burglars’ tricks

It is not yet known whether this technique is also used in other places – but it cannot be ruled out. Some time ago, the police warned of a similar trick in which a small strip of paper is inserted between the door and the frame. An adhesive strip over the door lock can also tell burglars whether the home is currently occupied or unoccupied.

By the way: Burglars prefer abandoned homes. Some methods can be used to deter them, for example by simulating presence.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.