When Festive Cheer Turns Risky: Top Items Thieves Target This Season
December in South Africa is meant for celebration, family, and a little indulgence. But as homes sparkle with decorations and gifts, opportunistic burglars are ramping up their activities. Security experts warn that home burglaries typically spike by nearly 50% during the festive season, and thieves have clear favourites when it comes to what they steal.
Trellidor CFO Damian Judge recently told BusinessTech that understanding what criminals target most can help households better protect themselves.
5. Security Equipment: Protectors Turned Prizes
It may seem ironic, but security systems themselves are increasingly stolen. Outdoor beams, cameras, and security gate motors are hot commodities on the resale market. Burglars target these items not just for their value but because removing them weakens a home’s defenses for future break-ins.
Tip: Ensure your security systems are anchored and monitored, and consider storing expensive components out of sight when possible.
4. Alcohol: Festive Spirits at Risk
That prized wine or carefully stocked liquor cabinet? Burglar-friendly cash in a bottle. High-quality spirits are easily resold, making them attractive to thieves. Families often find their holiday cheer diminished when these treasured bottles vanish.
Tip: Keep alcohol in a secure, locked cabinet or store it in a less obvious location away from main living areas.
3. Power Tools: Workshop Gold
Power tools are not only expensive but also light and easy to carry, making drills, grinders, and circular saws prime targets for burglars. The second-hand market for tools is active, and thieves know it.
Tip: Lock away your workshop or garage, and consider marking tools with identifiable information for easier recovery if stolen.
2. Jewellery: Tiny Treasures, High Value
Jewellery remains a perennial target because it’s easy to conceal and resell, and its intrinsic value—gold, platinum, or gemstones—makes it lucrative. From rings and bracelets to watches, criminals prioritize items they can carry quickly and convert into cash.
Tip: Store valuable jewellery in a safe or bank deposit box, and avoid leaving it out in the open during the holiday season.
1. Electronics: The Most Coveted Loot
Topping the list are electronics, from smartphones and laptops to TVs and gaming consoles. These items are not only high in value but also small enough to steal quickly. There’s also an added risk: stolen devices may contain personal or financial data.
Tip: Back up important data, enable tracking features, and secure devices in locked rooms or safes when not in use.
Staying Safe This Festive Season
The festive season may bring joy, but criminals don’t take a holiday. Experts advise that vigilance is your first line of defense. Key steps include:
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Locking away valuables when not in use
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Ensuring your security system is functional and monitored
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Updating home insurance policies to cover potential losses
Damian Judge reminds South Africans: “Lock up, stay aware, and don’t let the season’s joy turn into financial or emotional pain from preventable burglaries.”
With careful planning and awareness, you can enjoy your holidays without giving thieves the last laugh.
Source: The South African
Featured Image: Pexels
