How to avoid apartment theft in the summer: warnings from the Slovak police and practical advice for Ukrainian refugees
For many Ukrainian families who have found temporary shelter in Slovakia, summer is a period of trips to relatives, vacations or home for a short time. Accommodations, in particular rented apartments, are often left unattended. That is why the Slovakian police pays special attention to the issue of home security — because, according to official statistics, the largest number of apartment thefts is recorded in the summer. Refugees who do not yet have permanent housing or live in new areas may be particularly vulnerable to this type of crime. In this text, we tell you how to protect your home, what details to pay attention to, and what to do in case of suspicion of theft.
For Ukrainian refugees, this issue is even more delicate: they are not always well-versed in the local infrastructure, may not know their neighbors, do not have long-term contacts with the police, and, most importantly, are not always protected by rental contracts, insurance or legal instruments. In case of theft, it will be difficult to compensate for the losses. That is why the law enforcement officers urge you not to take it lightly and carefully approach the security of your temporary housing.
What the police say: the scale of the problem
According to data released by the spokesman of the Slovak Police Presidium, Roman Hajek, almost 3,300 cases of burglary were recorded in 2024 alone. A year earlier, there were even more such incidents — more than 3,600. The approximate total amount of damage caused over two years reached 10 million euros.
These figures are only recorded cases that have entered the criminal statistics. In fact, the real number of crimes may be higher, because not all victims turn to the police. Often, especially in cases of petty theft, apartment tenants (especially foreigners) prefer to remain silent due to communication difficulties or fear of eviction.
Thieves do not always act spontaneously, many of them conduct surveillance before committing a crime. They go around the apartments, monitor the entrances, analyze the rhythm of the residents’ lives. Sometimes they use fake visits — for example, pretending to be couriers or plumbers to see if someone is home.
Especially attractive for them are apartments with easy access to windows or balconies (first and last floors), as well as those where:
- the appearance of the apartment does not change for a long time (dark curtains during the day, mail is full);
- there are no video surveillance cameras nearby;
- residents have not installed secure door locks or left spare keys in easily accessible locations.
Residents themselves are another source of information for criminals. In social networks, they publish photos from their travels or messages like “Finally went to Croatia!” — not realizing that such a publication is equivalent to the inscription on the door: “There is no one at home.”
Typical mistakes that open the door to criminals
Police clearly identify several behavioral patterns that make a home vulnerable. The most common of them are:
- Unclosed windows or windows, even in places that seem out of reach.
- Outdated or weak locks – especially in rented accommodation, where the owners have not updated the security system.
- Leaving keys “under the rug” or in the mailbox – these places are always checked first.
- Lack of coordination with neighbors – no one will notice that the door is open or strange sounds are heard.
- Information security — when residents calmly inform everyone about their absence.
In police reports, these factors have been cited as crucial in many successful criminal break-ins.
How to prevent theft
Law enforcement officers recommend following a few simple but effective rules before leaving your home even for a few days:
- Close all windows, even attic, basement or balcony windows. Do not rely on mosquito nets or blinds.
- Check the locks on the doors. If there are doubts about their reliability, install additional locks or change the core.
- Install a simple alarm or video surveillance. There are many models available today that connect to a smartphone.
- Use a timer to turn on lights or sounds. This will create the impression that someone is in the house.
- Ask friends or neighbors to pick up the mail. If the entrance is filled with advertisements every day, this is a clear signal that there are no owners.
- Do not post travel information on social media. Or at least limit who sees the posts.
What to do if you suspect theft
The most important thing is not to enter the apartment if you notice signs of a break-in: a broken lock, an open window, a broken door, or chaos in the room that was not there before your departure.
Do not touch anything. All objects are potential evidence: fingerprints, hair, shoe prints, or even DNA. Even the slightest movement of objects can destroy important information.
Call 158 immediately – this is the Slovak police emergency number. If you don’t speak Slovak, try to explain the situation briefly or ask someone you know to help you translate. Do not leave the scene until the police arrive.
After registering the crime, the police will start an investigation. If you are renting an apartment, notify the landlord as soon as possible. It is advisable to have a photo inventory of things before the trip or lists with an approximate cost – this will facilitate damage assessment.
What Ukrainian refugees should pay attention to
If you’re renting informally, discuss with the owner who is responsible for security. If you do not have the opportunity to install an alarm, contact an organization that helps Ukrainians, perhaps they will advise on available solutions or a support program.
Don’t be afraid to contact the police even with the slightest suspicion – you won’t be fined for a “false call” if you acted reasonably.
If you travel a lot, consider voluntary personal property insurance, even in a rental apartment. Low-cost options for renters are available in Slovakia. They can cover losses in case of theft.
Housing security is responsibility for your property, even if it is temporary. Those who live in a new place, without established connections and without the support of a familiar environment, should be especially vigilant, so the main rule is not to ignore the threat, but to act in advance.
