New burglary scam: police warn of annoying garden gnome trick

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A new burglary scam is making the rounds in Britain. In Wales in particular, unknown garden gnomes have repeatedly appeared in front gardens in recent months. Sounds innocent at first, but caution is advised, the police say.

Because the garden gnomes are not intended as a gift for new decoration in the garden. Instead, criminals want to know if the dwarf is being removed by a resident. If the dwarf stands motionless in front of the garden for a long time, this is a sign that no one is at home. Then the burglars strike.

Police called for vigilance

According to the police, the dwarfs are mainly distributed in the summer months. Background: The gnomes used by burglars are designed for the Christmas season. In inhabited front gardens, the burglars think, the Christmas decorations are therefore quickly cleared away.

“We are advising everyone to be extra vigilant at this time and to clear up any garden gnomes that appear to be placed randomly quickly,” a spokesperson for Wales Police told Sky News.

Watch out for small plastic strips

Burglars also use a new trick in Germany. As T-Online reports, burglars clip small strips of plastic onto patio doors and entrances.

If the stripes are still in the same place a few days later, the door has never been opened – a sign that no one is home. The small plastic strips are only a few centimeters wide and can hardly be seen with the naked eye.

The German police tell T-Online that the police must be notified immediately if small pieces of plastic are discovered in the door frames. Also, toothpicks or leaves are repeatedly inserted between the door and the door frame to observe houses. Here, too, extreme caution is advised. (zis)

Source: Blick