During the summer holiday period, home burglaries see a significant increase in Gipuzkoa. Statistics show an average of 120 burglaries per month, primarily committed by opportunistic offenders. However, the Ertzaintza has also identified the presence of specialized itinerant groups involved in these types of crimes.
In recent years, the annual number of home burglaries in Gipuzkoa has exceeded 1,500. There were 1,773 in 2023, they decreased to 1,549 in 2024, and last year they rose again to 1,735. In the first quarter of this year, 532 cases have been recorded, about thirty more than in the same period last year. If this pace continues, the figure would surpass 2,000 annual burglaries for the first time in five years.
These crimes exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations. The summer months, particularly July and August, record the highest peaks. Increases are also observed during Christmas and Easter. During periods of lower activity, the figure drops to around 70 monthly offenses, while in the most favorable seasons, it can reach 120.
Different criminal profiles are distinguished. On one hand, there are the opportunists, who are not specialized and steal the first items they find, such as mobile phones, jewelry, or money. They often take advantage of situations like open windows, easily accessible ground floors, or construction scaffolding.
On the other hand, there are professional and organized crime groups, often originating from Eastern Europe or South America. These groups move between provinces, distribute tasks, and typically consist of about four individuals. After conducting surveillance and studying routines, they use professional tools to disable security measures and carry out swift, coordinated burglaries, focusing on high-value items.
The Ertzaintza requests public cooperation to report suspicious activities, which aids in developing crime maps. Police investigations focus on studying patterns, target areas, and left-behind marks, subsequently coordinating with the courts.
To prevent burglaries during vacations, recommendations include asking someone to look after the home, avoiding excessive social media posts about absences, and reinforcing security measures like specialized locks or alarms.
