Greek Police are getting ready to patrol the beaches, with the aim of identifying conmen that will be “eyeing” vacationers’ personal belongings.

The police will target tourist areas and will try to stop illegal trade and con artists in said areas.

The patrol program is configured not only to provide obvious policing in crowded or secluded coastlines, but also to prevent illegal activities such as vehicle robberies.

Tips for vacationers

Police is pleading that vacationers be careful the moment they leave their home for their summer vacation.

In particular, the advice before leaving home is to make sure that all doors and windows of the house are well secured and not to leave notes about whether they are absent or when they are returning.

Moreover, citizens should not leave letters or print magazines outside their door since they are obvious marks of absence. They must also avoid leaving stepladders, furniture or other bulky items in their yards or gardens that can be used to help an aspiring burglar in their ascent.

It is also advised that they do not post statements about them being absent from home for holidays on social media, or any other indication to suggest that they are not home.

Police also recommends that the house does not “look empty”, and that if possible, they install a timed light, activate the house alarm and not to leave high-value items or cash laying around the house.

Tips for the holidays

Citizens or tourists should never leave their handbags, wallet, money, mobile phones, cameras, credit cards, sunglasses, keys, motorbikes or cars, or even clothing on beaches, unattended, and they should carry out their ATM transactions with great care and discretion.

In case of them using a means of transport such as a card or motorbike, they should not leave valuables inside, or if that is impossible, they should take care to hide them from plain sight.

In addition, if they plan to rent a car, they must check if it has the basic security systems in place, such all doors locking or an alarm if possible. They should not leave the windows slightly cracked in order to keep the car’s interior from heating up, while on the beach, since it gives a car burglar an easier chance to open the lock. The vacationers should also park their car or means of transport at a spot where they can see it from the beach or the sea.