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November 26th, 2014

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The latest figures from the national police, Rigspolitiet, show that the number of burglaries has fallen by ten percent from this time last year.

At this point in 2013, the number of domestic break-ins stood at 28,504, compared to 25,743 this year.

“We welcome the development,” Rigspolitiet deputy police inspector Henrik Framvig told DR. “We have seen a decrease in burglaries across the board.”

Framvig said that homeowners are getting better at making things harder for crooks.

“They have become better at locking up, setting alarms and giving thought to where they secure their valuables,” he said.

Lights are on but nobody's home
Residents are also doing more to create the impression there is someone at home, even when they are out.

“Whether it's leaving a light on or getting a neighbour to move the trash around, making it look like someone is home is a deterrent,” said Framvig.

In recent years, Denmark has suffered more break-ins than most other European countries, and Framvig said that despite the recent drop, the battle against crooks was far from won.

“We are not done,” he said. “This is the first positive development in a long struggle. The number of burglaries is still too high.”

Room for improvement 
Hans Reymann-Carlsen, a spokesperson for insurance concern Forsikring & Pension, agreed it was a bit too early to begin crowing about the new numbers.

“The fall is a good sign, but we remain at a very high level of break-ins, so we cannot rest on our laurels,” he told DR.

Reymann-Carlsen said Denmark has about four or five times as many burglaries per capita as Germany and Sweden.

“It is simply too easy to break into the typical Danish home,” he said.

READ MORE: Rise in burglaries blamed on foreigners

Reymann-Carlsen would like the installation of anti-burglary windows and doors to become a legal requirement for any new homes built in Denmark.

“It is not very expensive and it is money well spent,” he said.