Burglary alert: Worried UAE residents put up steel grills at home

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Burglary alert, Worried UAE residents,  steel grills,
Residents at JVT are worried about break-ins and their fears increased after barriers were recently removed.- Alamy Image

Dubai - Social media and community chat groups have recently been flooded with messages of reported theft and break-ins.

By Angel Tesorero and Sandhya D'Mello

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Published: Tue 30 Jul 2019, 7:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 31 Jul 2019, 9:27 PM

This summer, steel grills have suddenly become a common sight in some gated communities in Dubai. More households have also reportedly opted to install CCTV cameras in their homes. The reason? An alleged spate of theft and burglary incidents.
Social media and community chat groups have recently been flooded with messages of reported theft and break-ins.
In the closed chat group of Springs Community Dubai, a resident shared that after returning from a two-week holiday, she discovered that "an intruder sneaked into our in Springs 7 and made off with cash, jewellery and a laptop".
"Shoe prints on the sofa suggest entry through the living room sliding window. Both our cars were in the driveway. Secure your homes," the resident added.
Another resident in the same community posted a similar experience. "Someone has tried to enter our home and I'm now on the hunt for (CCTV) cameras. Does anyone have any recommendations?"
Incidents of theft have also been reported in other communities.
A resident at Jumeirah Village Triangle posted on a Facebook group: "Hello, my husband came back (from) vacation early this morning to find out that (someone broke into) our house, lots of stuff stolen from inside the house in addition to one of our cars!
"We live in a townhouse and we were gone for two weeks. If anyone saw anything suspicious, please let me know so we can assist the police in their investigation. Be extra safe everyone."
Residents at JVT are worried about break-ins and their fears increased after barriers were recently removed to ease the flow of vehicles in the area. They said they have become more susceptible to burglaries.
The developer, Nakheel, was quoted in a report saying that the gates were removed to solve traffic congestion, following the request from some residents and those using the community as an alternative route.
Another developer, Danube Properties, told Khaleej Times: "Safety and security are of paramount importance at home, especially when you invest your life-savings into a home."
"Dubai and the UAE, in general, are safe places to live in, as the crime rate is almost zero. The Dubai Police have laid down fantastic prerequisites for all projects under development in the emirate, and no building can be certified to be completed unless they receive a police clearance certificate.
"However, in order to be extra careful, one might need added precaution and we do not see any harm in that," said Atif Rahman, director and partner at Danube Properties.
Safety and security
Security experts have also raised concerns on home safety. Putting up grills, for example, may block necessary exits in case of fire, they said.
"Yes, it is correct to secure all entry points to the premises, including windows and the roof. But residents should also bear in mind that in installing grills, they must ensure that these will not compromise their ability to use the windows as escape routes in case of fire," said Shameer Babu, a home security expert who installs closed-circuit cameras for gated communities in Dubai.
"Residents in Dubai do install safety measures like CCTV cameras or steel grills, as these help them avoid the unfortunate incidents of theft. Some developers do not charge the residents in common areas, but if it is within the flats or apartments, then a prior permission has to be sought before installing any safety measures."
In a previous KT report, Mohammad Meraj Hoda, vice-president of business development for Middle East and Africa at home security company Ring, said: "Home security is something that we need to constantly evaluate and improve upon. Savvy home-invaders will know about all the latest security devices, and they'll avoid homes if they know that they have effective security solutions in place.
"With smart devices, you'll always have home security at your fingertips, and you can respond to and prevent suspicious activity as it happens."
Meanwhile, some residents have suggested to form neighbourhood watch groups to beef up security in their areas. Emergency numbers have also been shared to prevent future break-ins.
angel@khaleejtimes.com , sandhya@khaleejtimes.com  
Authorities intensify crackdown on burglars
With many families travelling abroad for the long summer holidays, authorities have intensified patrols to crack down on burglars.
The Ministry of Interior - along with the police force in each emirate - have launched security and home safety campaigns.
They have also advised residents to install surveillance cameras in their homes, as well as alarm monitoring systems that can alert security operatives and other homeowners of any suspicious movement inside or outside the house.
In Dubai, the police have offered free smart home security service to residents who would be leaving for vacations. Residents can register for the service at the Dubai Police website; via the app; or by filling out a form at the nearest police station. Authorities said it had helped reduce the rate of burglary incidents in recent years.
The Sharjah and Ajman Police have also stepped up measures to prevent thieves from trying to sneak into people's homes during summer. They called on residents who are on holidays not to let anybody - including their household staff - know where valuables are kept.
'Burglar-proof' your home
>Put reliable locks in place
>Install surveillance cameras and monitoring systems that can alert authorities of any suspicious activity in your home
>Secure valuable items in banks or safe boxes
>Leave outdoor lights on
>Request a neighbour or a relative to remove newspapers and flyers from your doorstep daily
>Never share your travel plans on social media
Source: Abu Dhabi Police
Right at the beginning of summer this year, the police have launched security and home safety campaigns across all platforms, aiming to educate vacationers on the measures they need to take to protect their homes from theft.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 


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