Too many people fail to realise that thieves are using social media to keep an eye on whether you are at home or not. "That's why we advise everyone not to post everything about their trip online right away," Wouter Bruyns of Antwerp police warns. Last weekend, burglars made off with expensive jewellery and handbags from the villa of an Antwerp plastic surgeon whose wife had shared cute holiday snaps on social media network Instagram.
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"Don't be too quick to share holiday snaps on social media," Antwerp police warn after jewellery heist
Colin Clapson
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"When people are abroad, they get neighbours to empty the letterbox. They arrange for movement in the house, someone to water the plants. Nowadays, social media are equally important," warns Wouter Bruyns. "People with bad intentions also read along and see when you are not at home. Keep that in mind and don't post your photos from your trip online immediately."
Antwerp police have no real figures on burglaries that occur after people post lavish holiday stories. "It is impossible to ascertain why thieves strike in a certain place at a certain time. But of course it doesn't help if everyone on Instagram can see that you and the whole family are abroad."