The Policia Nacional has warned homeowners in Spain to be aware of the signs that a burglary gang is targeting their home.
In a post on X, the force said members of such groups will leave signs on front doors to signal that a property is a target.
Among these signals is a small piece of plastic wedged between the lower part of the door and its frame.
Thieves will leave the plastic for a few days and come back. If it’s still there, it means no one has come or gone from the property, making it a target.
‘Careful! A small piece of plastic could be the signal a thief is looking for,’ the Policia Nacional said, ‘check your door and if you notice anything unusual call 091.’
It’s just one of the many signs that thieves may be targeting your property.
Last year, a home security company issued a warning to all property owners in Spain.
According to Prosegur, burglars are marking people’s front doors with a variety of signals, indicating what type of target they are.
If you see any symbol etched into your door you are advised to call the police immediately, as it means you are likely being watched by thieves.
The symbols are typically very small and are made with chalk.
Prosegur’s key says an ‘X’ indicates that the owners are away on holiday, while an ‘X’ inside a circle means they are on vacation but will be back soon.
Meanwhile, an ‘M’ means the homes are vacant in the mornings, while a ‘W’ means they are empty at night.
A capital D that is underlined, meanwhile, means that the house or apartment is prime for burglarising on Sundays.
If you see a ‘7’ and ‘8’ next to each other, with each number in a circle, that means the property is free during the months of July and August.
A triangle indicates that the home has already been robbed, while a circle on its own warns of police nearby.
A series of other symbols warn of dogs, children in the home and whether or not the home is easy to rob – and even if the owner is disabled.
The chilling code suggests that robbery gangs are watching their targets for some time before deciding to strike.
In addition to drawings, thieves may leave other signs, such as faint threads of glue, adhesive strips, or pieces of plastic attached to doors to check whether the occupants have left the house.
If you come home to find any of the above, don’t touch anything, don’t erase the marks (if they’re made with chalk or something similar), take photographs, and call the police immediately.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
