A burglar is someone who gains unauthorised access to a building, a property or an enclosed space in order to commit an offence — usually theft. Burglaries count among the serious offences, because they cause not only material damage but also a severe blow to the victim’s sense of safety.
Entry into someone else’s property normally involves overcoming structural or technical security such as doors, windows or fencing. In Germany, § 243 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) covers this as theft in an aggravated case, where violence is used or obstacles have to be overcome.
This article looks at the offender. For the offence itself — its phases, prevention and what to do afterwards — see our companion article on burglary and how to prevent it.
Types of burglar
Burglars can be distinguished by how they work, how professional they are and what motivates them.
Opportunists: these offenders often act spontaneously and use unsecured or poorly secured entry points, such as an open window or an unlocked door. They generally work unprepared and without elaborate planning.
Career burglars: professional offenders are well organised and plan carefully. They use advanced tools and techniques to get into high-value premises. They frequently work in teams and specialise in valuable hauls such as artworks, jewellery or electronics.
Organised gangs: these groups usually operate across regions and work through burglaries systematically. They move fast and often use specialised equipment to bypass security systems. Their targets tend to be specific: warehouses, luxury flats or commercial premises.
Cybercriminals, or digital burglars: as connectivity and digitalisation increase, so do “digital break-ins”. These offenders penetrate computer networks or smart home systems in order to steal sensitive data or take control of a system.
How they operate
Burglars frequently follow a clear pattern and exploit the weak points of the premises concerned. Typical methods include:
Levering windows and doors: most offenders use levers to open poorly secured windows or doors. Older models without modern security hardware are especially vulnerable.
Forcing locks: offenders either use brute force to destroy a lock, or resort to finer techniques such as lock picking, which opens a lock without visible damage.
Entry through unsecured weak points: common weak points are rear entrances that are hard to see, balconies, basement windows or roof hatches, all of which tend to be less well secured than the main entrance.
Disabling security systems: professional offenders are frequently able to deactivate an alarm or tamper with a camera system, using jammers to block radio alarms for instance.
Psychology and motivation
What motivates a burglar varies widely. Some act out of economic hardship; others are driven by greed, the thrill or a desire for control. Career offenders often calculate the risk precisely, weighing the expected haul against the chance of being caught. The offender’s own social and economic circumstances play a part as well. Studies show that burglaries tend to become more frequent in economically strained periods, and in regions with high unemployment.
Who and what they target
Burglars deliberately look for premises that are either inadequately secured or particularly lucrative. The following are affected especially often:
Private households: offenders frequently concentrate on flats and houses, above all during holiday periods when residents are away. The weak points here are usually poorly secured windows and doors, and unwatched driveways.
Companies and offices: smaller businesses with limited security provision are hit disproportionately often. Offenders look specifically for valuables such as computers, cash or confidential documents.
Commercial property: shopping centres, warehouses and shops are particularly attractive, because large quantities of goods and cash are often kept there. Frequent targets are shops carrying high-value products such as electronics, jewellery or designer goods.
Public institutions: schools, hospitals and other public buildings can also fall victim, especially where expensive technical equipment such as computers, projectors or medical devices is stored.
Tools and techniques
Burglars use a range of tools and techniques to overcome security and get inside. The most common are:
Levers: simple tools such as crowbars or screwdrivers are used to lever windows and doors open. This is one of the most common methods, because it requires no particular technical knowledge.
Picks and lock picking: professional offenders use specialised tools to open locks without visible damage. The technique takes practice, so it is found mainly among experienced offenders.
Drills and saws: for particularly well secured premises, offenders sometimes bring heavier tools to destroy locks or security fittings outright.
Jammers and jamming technology: modern offenders use technical aids to disrupt radio alarms and wireless cameras, so they can work without triggering an alarm.
Protective measures
Protection against burglars calls for a combination of mechanical, electronic and organisational measures. The most important:
Mechanical security: well secured doors, windows and locks make access harder. Burglar-resistant windows and doors are built from especially robust materials and fitted with locks that cannot easily be levered or picked.
Electronic security: what deters an offender is the prospect of being recorded and of someone responding. Alarms, cameras and motion detectors raise that prospect considerably, and modern systems notify the owner on a smartphone the moment something is detected.
Guards and security services: a professional provider adds protection, particularly on commercial or publicly accessible premises. CIBORIUS Security combines officers on site, patrols and surveillance technology, so an offender faces a real chance of encountering someone.
Smart home technology: smart surveillance is increasingly popular, because it automates routines and raises the level of security in a private home. Lighting and motion detectors controlled through an app can make a house appear occupied while the residents are away.
Insurance cover: suitable insurance softens the financial consequences of a burglary. Many household and commercial policies cover break-ins, though cover often depends on which security measures were in place beforehand.
Statistics and trends
Burglary figures vary by region, season and economic conditions. In Germany, police crime statistics have recorded an overall decline in recent years, attributable to stronger prevention and to technical progress.
Time of day: offenders frequently strike in the late afternoon or early evening, when many people are out. The risk is particularly high at dusk — so-called twilight burglaries — when it is still too light for motion detectors to stand out but already dark enough to move unnoticed.
Seasonal variation: burglaries cluster during holiday periods, the summer break or Christmas for instance, when many homes stand empty. Figures also tend to rise through the dark winter months.
Regional differences: cities and more affluent residential areas are often affected more heavily, because more valuables are assumed to be there. In rural areas, by contrast, offenders often have more time, because the risk of discovery is lower.
Legal consequences
In Germany, burglary is treated as an aggravated case of theft (§ 243 StGB). It is an offence that carries heavy penalties, particularly where violence was used or security measures overcome.
Criminal consequences: offenders can expect custodial sentences of up to ten years, depending on the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances. A straightforward burglary without aggravating factors such as violence or possession of a weapon is generally punished more leniently, but can still result in several years’ imprisonment.
Fines and compensation: alongside imprisonment, offenders face fines and civil claims where victims seek damages. These cover stolen items, damage to doors and windows, and the possible psychological consequences for the victim.
Repeat offenders and gang crime: repeat offenders and members of organised gangs are often punished more severely, because they are regarded as particularly dangerous to the public. Organised burglary, especially on a large scale, can be prosecuted as gang theft under § 244 StGB, with higher penalties again.
Trespass and further offences: beyond the burglary itself, further offences may apply — trespass (§ 123 StGB), aggravated assault or criminal damage — where a break-in involved violence or destruction.
How to recognise a burglar casing a property
There are typical behaviours and warning signs that a burglary is being prepared. Around homes and commercial premises in particular, residents and security officers should be alert to the following:
Unfamiliar people in the area: offenders often survey a target before striking. They may loiter near houses or business premises, drive through the neighbourhood unusually often, or observe a building at different times of day.
Signs of reconnaissance: some offenders use markings or small signs to identify buildings they have picked out as a potential target. Watch for odd marks on doors, fences or letterboxes.
People posing as tradespeople: offenders sometimes present themselves as tradespeople, sales representatives or other service providers in order to gain access or get a look inside. Be cautious about unannounced visits and ask for identification.
Ringing the doorbell: offenders often ring to check whether anyone is home. If nobody answers, they assume the house is empty and that they can work undisturbed. A smart door intercom lets you answer remotely and give the impression the house is occupied.
Where to get help
Anyone wanting to protect themselves against burglars, or who has already been a victim, can turn to a number of sources:
Police advice centres: many German police stations offer free advice on burglary prevention. They assess weak points at a home or business and recommend improvements.
Security providers: professional companies such as CIBORIUS Security offer complete security concepts, from mechanical protection through to current surveillance technology and officers on site.
Insurers: after a burglary it is important to inform your insurer immediately. Many household and buildings policies cover the loss, provided the agreed security measures were observed.
The K-EINBRUCH initiative: this German police initiative offers extensive advice and information on preventing burglaries, including recommendations on alarm systems, cameras and other security technology.
Common misconceptions about burglars
A number of myths about burglars persist stubbornly. Some of the most common:
“Burglars only come at night.” In fact many burglaries happen during the day, particularly during working hours when residents are out. Offenders take the opportunity whenever they can be confident of working undisturbed.
“Only wealthy areas are affected.” Offenders do not focus exclusively on affluent neighbourhoods. They frequently choose premises that are poorly secured, whatever the area.
“An alarm system is infallible.” An alarm is a good deterrent, but it is not absolute protection. Skilled offenders can manipulate or bypass radio alarms with jammers, which is why a combination of mechanical and electronic protection is the most effective approach.