Some people are getting alarm systems installed before going on holiday. Photo: Shutterstock

Some people are getting alarm systems installed before going on holiday. Photo: Shutterstock

As the holidays approach, demand for alarm systems is starting to pick up in Luxembourg. While houses remain prime targets, burglars may also be interested in flats.

The summer school holidays are fast approaching in Luxembourg, leading to a wave of holidaymakers heading out. During the last few months (and longer) many people have stayed home more thanks to telecommuting, but as they venture out the demand for security solutions is rising.

“In recent weeks, we have been receiving an increasing number of ‘last minute’ requests from individuals to have a security system installed in their home before they go on holiday,” says Alessandro Tutucci, sales director at G4S Security Solutions.

Depending on the availability of the equipment, the company can start the installation within three to five working days. While each device varies according to the requirements of the home needing protection, the average price of an installation for a “standard” home is around €2,000.

From siren to on-site service

G4S offers the sale and installation of alarm systems, but also video surveillance and alarm monitoring, with a remote surveillance centre that can act in the event of an intrusion.

This is also the case with Luxsecurity, whose offer is divided between devices that can be purchased or leased. “By staying at home through teleworking, people spend more time at home. They need to feel more secure,” explains Dino Casciato, an executive assistant.

The company is also seeing an increase in demand for security devices and promises a maximum installation time of two weeks.

95% of houses that are broken into do not have an alarm system.

Marc RagnacciChief commissioner of the National Crime Prevention ServiceGrand-ducal police

In short, it is not too late to get equipped before leaving on holiday. “Ninety-five percent of the houses that are burgled do not have an alarm system,” explains Marc Ragnacci, chief commissioner of the National Crime Prevention Service.

The year 2020 was marked by a drop of more than 23% in burglaries in inhabited houses, with 1,076 cases in Luxembourg. But now that health restrictions are easing and the holidays are upon us, police are expecting a resurgence of cases.

They are offering residents  (in French), as well as the opportunity to  (also in French) and the details of a contact person to reach in the event of a problem. Patrols are planned at varying intervals to keep an eye on the listed homes. “If there is an external siren visible on the façade, it is a deterrent,” Ragnacci adds.

On camera

Even if villas are more prone to break-in attempts, houses and flats can also be appealing to burglars.

“We see burglaries especially in the capital and in Esch-sur-Alzette, as well as in garages of condominiums,” says the chief commissioner.

Those installing alarm systems are also witnessing demand from flat dwellers. “Personally, I had a client who called us for an alarm system because he had been burgled on the third floor of a large residence,” Luxsecurity’s Casciato says.

In recent years, do-it-yourself video surveillance systems have become increasingly popular. “It is permissible to film the main entrance or the back of the house; this does not require authorisation from the CNPD. But on the public highway, it is not authorised,” Ragnacci explains. As for the security of recorded data, G4S Security Solutions stresses that the recorded images are destroyed after 30 days.