Holiday Thieves Target Danish Homes This Season

Frederikke Høye

December 19, 2025
10:45 am

Denmark has seen a steady rise in home break-ins during the 2025 holiday season, prompting police to urge residents to tighten home security and think twice before posting vacation updates online.

Holiday Season Brings More Home Burglaries

Once again, December in Denmark is proving to be a busy month for burglars. Across the country, police have recorded a noticeable increase in reported home break-ins compared to last year. According to new figures from the National Police, 14,951 Danes have already reported burglaries in 2025, up from 13,744 in 2024.

While most Danes are looking forward to the holidays, many leave their homes empty, which makes them tempting targets for thieves. Police are reminding residents to pay attention to their surroundings and be careful about how much they share on social media while away.

Burglaries Remain Lower Than Before the Pandemic

Even with this recent rise, the overall number of burglaries has stayed relatively stable since the pandemic. Before COVID-19, when more people were often away from home, break-ins were more frequent.
Interestingly, police have noticed that many criminals have turned to online scams instead. Digital fraud and economic crime have become a larger focus for Danish authorities, as these offenses pose less immediate risk for the perpetrators compared to a physical burglary.

Meanwhile, Danes have also improved their personal security. From alarms and surveillance systems to reinforced doors and windows, these measures make it harder for thieves to strike successfully and improve how safe Denmark is to live in today.

Regional Differences Are Noticeable

Some Danish regions are more affected than others. On the island of Funen, for instance, the police have seen the largest increase this year. The region registered 1,570 break-ins so far in 2025, compared to 1,183 last year.

Experts from the Danish Crime Prevention Council say these variations often happen randomly from year to year. Still, authorities take the trend seriously. In a survey from Roskilde University, many Danes said that fear of burglary remains one of their main security concerns, despite the relatively stable national numbers.

Thieves Target Small and Valuable Items

During the holidays, many homes are left empty for several days. At the same time, the presence of wrapped gifts and expensive items makes them appealing to burglars.

According to police data, thieves mainly go after easily resold valuables. Items like designer goods, jewelry, and cash are high on their list. Because many burglars operate on foot and move quickly through residential paths, they prefer smaller objects that are easy to carry.

Police recommend basic neighborhood cooperation, especially during the holiday break. Neighbors can help by parking in each other’s driveways, putting out shared trash bins, or keeping lights on to give the impression of an occupied house.

Think Before Posting on Social Media

Danish authorities also highlight a modern risk: oversharing online. Posting travel photos or live videos might seem harmless, but it can unintentionally reveal that a property is empty. The police urge people to wait until they return home before posting vacation updates.

Even small details, like showing the inside of your house or mentioning travel dates, can alert criminals who monitor social platforms. The authorities advise everyone to be cautious about what they share publicly.

Tips to Prevent Break-ins

The Danish Crime Prevention Council outlines several practical steps to reduce burglary risk:
1. Be an active neighbor and look out for each other.
2. Keep exterior lights on and trim the hedge to improve visibility.
3. Strengthen doors and windows to make them harder to force.
4. Use secure payment or digital gift options instead of keeping cash at home.
5. Call 114 if suspicious activity is noticed.

These efforts, combined with local awareness and home technology, can make a real difference in protecting homes. For foreigners living in Denmark, similar safety habits are also relevant, as explained in security in Denmark for foreigners.

In the end, while Denmark remains one of the most secure countries in Europe, the recent rise in holiday burglaries is a timely reminder that staying cautious is still essential.