– If people are going away for a longer period, they can at least consider securing the keys in another way. This is what operations manager Jøran Solheim in the South-West police district says. In the last week alone, he has registered four house burglaries, all of which have used the same method. The thieves lock themselves in the house, after breaking open the small metal box where the house keys are kept. The police encourage people to consider how they secure their home when they are away for a long period of time. Photo: Privat The thieves made away with large amounts of valuables. The police therefore believe it is important that people are aware that the key boxes are not completely secure. – The safest thing is to have the key with you when you leave the home, says Solheim – Use an electronic lock instead. Espen Karlsen, managing director of Jernia, says that key boxes sell well all year round, and that the high season is in the autumn. Espen Karlsen, managing director of Jernia Photo: JERNIA – A key box is not 100 per cent secure. It can be smashed to pieces, but you must at least hide it well. Karlsen believes electronic locks are the best alternative. If’s communications manager, Sigmund Clementz, also agrees with Karlsen that a better alternative is an electronic lock. – Here you have the option of assigning unique codes that you can change afterwards, if, for example, you are going to have craftsmen enter the house. When they are finished, you can delete the code. May have used special tools In connection with insurance, If has no exception for storing keys in a key box, says Clementz, believes that people should in any case hide the box well when installing it. – But the disadvantage is that those who specialize in key boxes know about all the sneaky hiding places, in the same way that they know where the gold jewelery is when they enter the house, he says. Clementz believes that thieves who specialize in key boxes like to spend time scouting ahead, and that they use special tools. – It makes it easier for them than other thieves to get into the key boxes, he says. Sigmund Clementz, head of information at If insurance Photo: If Got big valuables The latest burglary in Rogaland happened on Thursday morning at Sola. – In today’s case at Sola, the owner has left the place for a few hours, then an unauthorized person has been inside and stolen, says Solheim. A computer, silverware, headphones and other valuables were stolen here. The other break-ins took place at Klepp, Stavanger and Sola. Solheim believes it is good that people are familiar with the events of recent times, so that they can be vigilant. Quick access to keys can mean a lot Sector Alarm sees the storage of keys in a key box as an advantage. They say that the boxes ensure quick access to the home in the event of a call from, for example, the fire service or the security guard. – If there is an accident, quick access to the home means a lot. A key box placed directly outside the front door will give us the opportunity to quickly check the home and take the necessary measures, says Sissel Eckblad, communications manager at Sector Alarm.
ttn-69
Several burglaries in key boxes in Rogaland – The police believe the safest thing is to have the key with you – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
