The police are investigating a spate of burglaries in Sliema over the past few weeks, with the culprits believed to be a gang of organised criminals using sophisticated tools such as ‘bump keys’, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.
Police sources said that although there was no cause for alarm, people should be on the lookout for anything unusual happening in their street.
The robbers are targeting apartments rather than houses, especially those without alarm systems or closed circuit camera surveillance.
The latest thefts took place on Friday evening when robbers targeted two apartments in the same block. Police sources said after the thieves entered the flats they placed a pair of socks from the apartments on their shoes to leave no traces whatsoever and then removed them on their way out.
Sources said that since the beginning of the month there were reported thefts in several streets in Sliema including Cathedral Street, Graham Street, Tigné, Tower Road and Hughes Hallett Street.
The robbers are believed to be professionals using a device called a ‘bump key’ to get into individual apartments without causing any damage to the doors and without making a noise to gain entry. The majority of thefts reported did not involve damage to the front doors.
Police sources told The Sunday Times of Malta that more than 15 Sliema residences have been burgled since the beginning of August. Apart from cash and gold and other jewellery, other valuable items such as laptops, iPads, mobile phones and even televisions were also stolen.
The police have identified a certain pattern in the reported burglaries, although each case is treated individually.
Police sources suggested that residences should not be left unattended in the evenings, especially between 5 and 11pm. Homeowners should also consider installing alarm systems or CCTV systems to deter would-be robbers.
Moreover, police sources have suggested setting up of a sort of neighbourhood watch, with residents being very vigilant for any suspicious movements or people lurking around. The crime-stop number 119 should be used in the circumstances.
There was a similar spate of thefts in Sliema and St Julian’s last summer, with a pattern that involved professional thieves who broke into houses through main doors that were also equipped with ‘super locks’, a multi-lock system.
Residents in St Julian’s and Sliema had reported “suspicious” signs scribbled on their intercoms – a method used abroad to target specific residences.
The thieves left a trail of destruction inside the residencies but seemed to be interested in money and gold.