Three burglars have been caught on film breaking into an apartment in St Julian's, amid claims of increasing home thefts in recent weeks.

The landlord said two of his apartments had succumbed to three break-ins in just four weeks. 

The burglary caught on CCTV above took place last Wednesday in Spinola Road, close to the Cavalieri Hotel. Another apartment of his in Borg Olivier Street was burgled twice over the past month. 

He said the thefts were well-planned with the burglars breaking in literally minutes after the tenants left the building.

In the video, one of the men is seen hanging around inside the apartment block common area to alert his accomplices of any threat. Minutes later a thief walks out with two large bags. The value of contents taken is not known. 

"These thefts are leaving our tenants scared," said the owner, who did not wish to be identified.

He said the burglars, who were disguised as tourists, were breaking in with the help of what appears to be a screwdriver, damaging the front doors in the process. The owner claimed that a number of other properties in the area had been burgled in the last few weeks, a claim which could not be immediately verified by the police. 

The CCTV has been forwarded to the police. 

A spate of break-ins around the Sliema area last year sent shockwaves across the country until five burglars from an international ring were eventually arraigned.