Hostels in Bruges have already had at least 3 visits from a burglar in only a couple of weeks. The manager of Hostel Lybeer believes it is the same burglar each time, through Bruges police have not yet been able to confirm that. Each time, the burglar makes off with several hundred euros in cash.
Although the door is always locked, the thief still manages to get in. Manager Stephane Kolijn makes sure most of the hostel’s cash is now safely in the safe deposit box.
‘It's very annoying, yes,’ sighs Stephane. His business in Bruges has been burgled several times in recent weeks. The first time he did not report it, but the other times he made sure he did. ‘Last Tuesday night it happened again’.
Stephane got a call from one of the guests, who said the door to the office was wide open. ‘I saw that the till was empty and cash had been stolen. Just like 2 weeks ago. Each time several hundred euros was taken.’
It is still unclear how the thief got in. ‘I suspect the thief slipped in with other hostel guests as they were entering. There’s no other possibility, because the front door is always closed.’
Fearful of a further visit Stephane is now taking precautions. ‘We make sure there is always something lying around he can take. Something that is not too important’.
We can no longer rely on keeping the burglar out, so we make sure he can steal as little as possible.
Bruges police confirm that the hostel was burgled on Friday 5 July and Wednesday 24 July. On 10 July, there was a break-in at another nearby hostel. It is still unclear whether the various burglaries are linked. The investigation is ongoing.