Focus Day

Property crime, and more specifically burglary, affects many European citizens. Luckily, burglaries are preventable and it does not have to be expensive! Research clearly shows the effectiveness of improved window and door locks or external lights that pop on when their sensors observe movement and internal lightning on a timer. These measures increase the risk of being caught and/or the effort that would be needed to enter a home successfully. These improved security measures prevented a great deal of crimes and eventually led to a genuine crime drop. The takeaway for crime preventers, though, is not to sit back and relax. On the contrary! Many people are still victim of burglary. That is why 22 European countries, united in the EUCPN (European Crime Prevention Network) and EMPACT, have joined forces to launch this initiative.

The prevention campaign to #StopDomesticBurglaries consists of a poster, a flyer, three short intranet posts, a radio spot and a case movie. The case movie includes initiatives from the Member States and inspires the national partners to participate in this initiative. The EUCPN has also written the paper What works to prevent domestic burglaries?, to support European, national and local stakeholders by giving an overview of the initiatives which might, or not might work, to prevent domestic burglaries. This year the campaign focuses on informing citizens that they can secure their home against burglary and that is does not have to be expensive. The use of strong door locks, external lightning on a sensor, strong window locks and internal lightening on a timer is the most effective combination with which to prevent domestic burglaries. We are also organising a few webinars.

The 22 participating European countries in 2025 are Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

 Video What works to prevent domestic burglaries?

Last year the prevention campaign to #StopDomesticBurglaries consists of a video that explains citizens which measures are the most effective to prevent burglaries and provide the best value for money. 

 The case movie