Denmark’s national police report a sharp rise in holiday burglaries this Christmas, with numbers reaching a five-year high and many Danes returning from festive gatherings to find their homes broken into.
Christmas Burglaries on the Rise
Several Danes have come home from Christmas celebrations to find signs of forced entry. On December 25 alone, police received 98 burglary reports nationwide, compared to 67 on the same day last year. The National Police say the figure will likely increase as more people return from family visits and holidays.
From December 12 to 25, there have already been 852 reported burglaries, a 17.4 percent increase from the 726 recorded during the same period last year. Authorities admit it is difficult to identify a single reason behind the rise.
Unclear Causes Behind the Increase
Officials say multiple factors likely influence burglary rates, including how holidays fall in the calendar and the activity of traveling criminals who typically target unoccupied homes. The pattern varies from year to year, and police continue to gather data to understand the dynamics behind the spike.
At the same time, many Danes are reconsidering how safe their neighborhoods are. Concerns about safety and quality of life in Denmark are once again in focus when the holiday season exposes vulnerabilities in otherwise peaceful communities.
What to Do If Your Home Has Been Burglarized
If you return to a burglarized home, authorities recommend calling 114, Denmark’s non-emergency police number, but only if you are certain no one remains inside. Avoid touching anything until police arrive so you do not destroy fingerprints or other evidence.
Insurance companies, including GF Forsikring, are seeing the same trend of increased holiday break-ins. They expect more reports in the coming days as people uncover thefts that happened while they were away.
Prevention Tips for Next Year
Experts stress the importance of making your house appear occupied when away. Keeping lights on in different rooms, checking that all doors and windows are locked, and installing motion-sensor lighting can make a big difference. Some Danes are also investing in home security services with alarms and surveillance systems tailored for local conditions.
Social media has become an unexpected tool for burglars. In fact, thieves sometimes use posts to learn when families are away. People are urged to avoid sharing travel updates or photos of empty homes during the holidays.
Keeping Denmark’s Communities Secure
The police describe the trend as “moving in the wrong direction,” especially since annual efforts to reduce property crime appeared to be paying off in recent years. While Denmark remains considered a safe place to live overall, spikes like these highlight how quickly that sense of security can be shaken.
Meanwhile, local police stations are stepping up patrols in areas with multiple break-ins and urging communities to watch out for each other. Simple precautions, such as telling neighbors when you travel, can be effective.
As the investigation continues, authorities plan to release a full overview of this year’s burglary patterns after January 4, when the annual holiday crime report concludes. For now, the message from both police and insurers is consistent: take precautions, stay alert, and look out for one another.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Is Denmark a Safe Place to Live? Safety, Crime Rates & Quality of Life
The Danish Dream: Best Home Security Services in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Juleindbrud i stigning – går i den forkerte retning, siger Rigspolitiet
