{
  "id": 1487013,
  "title": "Police step up vigil as house burglaries rise across Kerala",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/police-step-up-vigil-as-house-burglaries-rise-across-kerala",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T13:19:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/police-step-up-vigil-as-house-burglaries-rise-across-kerala/article71356259.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A surge in home invasions has compelled law enforcement agencies in Kerala to intensify their patrols and surveillance. In response to the increased criminal activity, police forces have implemented a revised night patrol system and bolstered surveillance. Homeowners are being encouraged to enroll vacant properties in the Locked House Information feature of the Kerala Police POL-APP, which facilitates continuous monitoring. District Police Chief A.P. Shoukathali disclosed that special task forces and undercover officers will be deployed across Kozhikode's three police divisions to execute night patrols and aerial surveillance during the Onam holiday. A recent meeting convened senior police officials to coordinate these measures within each police district. Assistant Commissioner of Police T. Ashraf encouraged citizens to notify the police of locked residences via the POL-APP in advance. Police personnel have been briefed to treat such notifications with utmost seriousness. The Information and Communication Technology Wing revealed that the app has safeguarded the properties of over 30,000 individuals across the state. Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure and can be made up to a week ahead of time. A sub-inspector from the Kerala Police Hi-Tech Cell cautioned that many individuals who install surveillance cameras neglect to maintain them properly. Cameras with low resolution, unreliable Internet connections, and DVR units stored in insecure locations may not yield optimal results. Advanced cameras with motion-activated alarms, flashing lights, instant mobile notifications, and AI-based human detection remain underutilized. Concurrently, officials from the Residents’ Apex Council in Kozhikode reported that many residents have adopted police safety guidelines. Homeowners are now more cautious about avoiding social media updates about extended trips and signs of vacancy, such as newspapers piling up or lights left on continuously. They have also installed motion-sensor lights, an affordable deterrent against intruders. A recent burglary in Koyilandy, where thieves stole 30 sovereigns of gold from a jeweler's locked residence, is one of the latest cases of this nature. Another instance occurred in Vadakara, where burglars stole 25 sovereigns of gold and ₹30,000 while the occupants were on a trip to Munnar. Thiruvambady police noted that burglars are not limited to stealing gold ornaments; last week, a costly camera worth ₹1.5 lakh and three sovereigns of gold were stolen from a non-resident Keralite's locked house. Police have also documented vehicle thefts from various locked residences.",
  "summary": "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 surveillance",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}