Kerala police step up night patrols, promote locked-house app as burglaries rise
In response to a recent increase in house burglaries across Kerala, police stations in the state have stepped up vigilance with a revamped night-patrol plan and enhanced surveillance measures. As a preventive measure, homeowners have been urged to use the Locked House Information option on the Kerala Police POL-APP, which allows users to register vacant homes for continuous monitoring.
District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) A.P. Shoukathali said that special squads and plainclothes personnel would be deployed across the three police subdivisions in the city to coordinate night patrols and aerial surveillance during the Onam season, following a state-level directive. A meeting has already been held with senior police officers to discuss arrangements within each police station’s jurisdiction, he added. The directive is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety during the festive period, with a focus on preventive patrolling and community engagement.
Assistant Commissioner of Police T. Ashraf said citizens can assist the police by providing details of locked houses through POL-APP in advance. Police officers have been instructed to treat such requests seriously. “This helps us focus our resources on vulnerable properties, especially when families are away,” he explained.
According to a senior police officer with the Information and Communication Technology Wing, many people remain unaware of the free app-based service, though it has helped more than 30,000 people secure their houses across the state. Requests should be submitted at least 48 hours before departure and can be placed up to seven days in advance. The officer urged residents to utilise this facility, which allows for scheduled checks by patrolling units.
A sub-inspector with the Kerala Police Hi-Tech Cell said that many residents who install surveillance cameras fail to maintain them properly. Low-megapixel cameras, easily detachable Internet connections, and DVR units kept in insecure locations may not deliver the desired results. Cameras equipped with motion-activated sirens, flashing lights, instant mobile alerts, and AI-based human detection are yet to be widely explored, he noted. He recommended placing DVR units in locked cabinets and ensuring regular checks of camera functionality.
Meanwhile, functionaries of the Residents’ Apex Council in Kozhikode said that many people have begun following police safety tips. Residents are now more careful about avoiding social media posts about long journeys and leaving signs of absence, such as newspapers piling up or lights being left switched on continuously. Many have also installed motion-sensor lights, one of the cheapest options for deterring intruders. Council members emphasised that community vigilance and neighbourly watch are proving effective in deterring suspicious activity.
The theft of nearly 30 sovereigns of gold ornaments from the house of a local jeweller at Koyilandy on August 15 is among the latest incidents in which burglars targeted locked houses. The owner was reportedly staying at another house while emergency maintenance work was being carried out. Last week, burglars also broke into a house at Vadakara and stole nearly 25 sovereigns of gold and ₹30,000 while the family was away on a tour in Munnar. In both cases, the houses were locked for extended periods, which may have made them targets.
Police officers in Thiruvambady said that gold ornaments are not the only valuables targeted by burglars. In a recent incident, a non-resident Keralite reported the theft of a costly camera worth ₹1.5 lakh and nearly three sovereigns of gold. Police have also reported vehicle thefts from several other locked houses. The hi-tech cell has advised residents to secure all valuables, including vehicles, and to inform neighbours or local police about their absence.
