Burglars in France are using new methods to break into properties in an effort to overcome heightened home security systems.
As anti-burglary software such as alarms becomes more sophisticated, so too do the methods used by burglars to outwit them.
Summer is the worst time for burglaries in France, as many leave their homes for extended trips.
However, burglaries can happen all year round and certain properties such as second-homes and rural houses are often targeted.
In 2024, more than 218,000 burglaries were committed in France, around one every two and a half minutes on average.
Classic methods of breaking and entering – lock-picking, forced entering, and taking advantage of open windows, unlocked doors etc – are still common, but as people become more cautious of protecting their homes, new ways of breaking into seemingly-secure homes become popular.
Below, we look at how to protect your homes against the new methods used by burglars.
Impersonation, door markings
To combat better alarm systems and the threat of being seen by others, burglars are increasingly attempting to enter properties (or check if they are empty) via disguise and identity fraud.
Pretending to be an employee of an official organisation or company (EDF, delivery driver, someone selling fund-raising calendars etc), they can knock on many doors and while waiting for a response more closely examine a property’s entry points and alarm system.
The disguise allows them to repeat this process several times across a number of days, also checking if a property is currently empty.
If someone does answer the door to them, they may even attempt to enter the home as part of the disguise to conduct further reconnaissance.
In addition, they may undertake a ruse to check if the home is currently empty.
This can range from anything such as a leaflet, a sign on the door, moving a plant pot or doormat to be right in front of the door, or leaving a mark made with something such as chalk or glue on the door handle.
If a ‘mark’ remains untouched for several days, burglars can assume the home is empty.
High-tech break-ins
Alongside these, several other new methods employing technology are becoming popular.
This can range from ‘bumping’, using special modified keys to unlock doors without leaving a trace, to ‘wave jamming’, where sensors are used to temporarily stop home alarm systems from working, allowing burglars to enter without setting off alarms.
Other methods include using drones to conduct in-depth reconnaissance of local areas (including if people are arriving back home during a break-in), and hacking CCTV cameras to shut them down during a burglary.
In many cases, these methods require several people to be working at once, leading to gangs coming together to rob several properties in a short period of time in a selected location.
Tips to prevent break-ins
Despite these changing methods, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of a break-in.
Keeping a ‘homely’ presence
One of the most popular approaches is to make your house look occupied when empty, for example by leaving the TV or lights on.
Several apps now allow for electronic devices to be controlled remotely, so you can turn on the TV or lights for a couple of hours per day even from a holiday destination to more accurately suggest there is a person in the home.
Posters warning of the presence of a guard dog (even if you do not have one) or installing a fake security camera remain popular, even if these can now be bypassed through reconnaissance and camera hacking.
Installing an alarm
Even if high-tech burglars can sometimes overcome an alarm system it remains an effective tool in reducing the risk of a break-in.
Burglars needing to outwit a correctly-installed alarm must put in substantial time and effort to do so – usually requiring high-tech equipment – and are likely to opt for an easier target if they have the opportunity.
Alarms, combined with other measures such as (functioning) security cameras, can help deter most burglars.
In some cases, leaving your property without a home alarm can significantly increase insurance costs.
Get help from your neighbour – and the police
Asking your neighbour to check on your home is also an effective method.
Simple tasks such as taking the bins out, collecting letters, opening and closing shutters and removing any ruse marks can all indicate a property is occupied, and reduce the risk of it being targeted.
A good neighbour can do this while you are away, especially if you offer to return the favour.
In addition, you can also ask the police to check on your home when you are away, and in some cases this can extend to second homes in rural areas.
Our article here shows how you can sign up for this service.
Keep quiet about holiday plans
Finally, it is advised to keep quiet about your holiday plans on social media, especially if your profile is public.
Posting about an upcoming holiday, or talking about being on holiday shows that your home is probably empty.
This especially applies to comments on local groups which are also targeted by criminals. For example, if you follow a local page about your area and someone has asked a question, do not make any reference to being away.
