Why some households are affected multiple times

Ask

Why thieves often return to the same address

Robbery victims often live in fear that their perpetrator will return – and this is not unfounded. Repeat crime scenes are not uncommon, especially in urban areas.

After a break-in, it’s often not just the fear that returns – sometimes it’s the perpetrator too: According to police, every third apartment that is broken into is again targeted. Especially when there is no protection and no one is looking closely. The fact that the perpetrator carried out the attack a second time is not an isolated case, but a pattern.

Several studies, including an evaluation carried out by the police of North Rhine-Westphalia, show: The vast majority of all crime scenes are repeat crime scenes – a house or apartment that was broken into again within ten years. The odds are higher in big cities than in rural areas. Anyone who has been a victim remains at risk.

Under what conditions do repeat violations occur? And is the risk in certain buildings higher than in others? Here’s what t-online wants to know from Julia Christiani of state and federal police crime prevention departments. He explained: “It’s possible to be the victim of a robbery several times, especially if you don’t take any safety precautions after the first robbery.” The lack of protection actually makes them attractive to perpetrators – and often to perpetrators who know their way around it.

It is not yet known whether there are other reasons that determine whether an apartment or house has the potential to become a location for repeated crimes. “Social control in the neighborhood may have a determining influence on the likelihood of robbery,” experts from North Rhine-Westphalia surmise.

It is also uncertain “whether the same perpetrator will attack,” Christiani added. There are some studies and older experts who assume so – after all, the perpetrator knew his way around the area. However, state and federal police crime prevention agencies did not have any figures or findings.

The question cannot be answered clearly. However, it is clear that certain circumstances increase the risk of becoming a victim of a home burglary again. These include the following factors:

After a break-in, you should immediately take protective measures, such as installing burglar-proof windows or doors, installing an alarm system, or participating in neighborhood initiatives. Many local police stations offer free consultations.