21% more burglaries: motion detectors, cameras and smart locks on the rise
30.3.2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Last year, Germany recorded more than five million crimes and 21% more burglaries according to the new Police Crime Statistics. This is causing a boom in sales of security products. In 2022, customers of online retailer Galaxus in Germany and Austria bought 260% more motion detectors than in the previous year. Online shoppers also ordered 250% more video intercoms systems and 220% more alarm systems and hazard detectors.
With the pandemic over, we’re spending more time outside our homes again – on vacation, at work or our doing our hobbies. This makes it easier for burglars. In North Rhine-Westphalia, 30% more burglaries have been recorded, and in Bavaria the numbers are increasing again, too. In Austria, burglars have recently even started to pick door locks with acid. But the population is well prepared. In recent months, Galaxus customers have found ways to modernise their homes.
In Germany and Austria, Galaxus sold almost three times as many motion detectors (+260%) and two and a half times more modern door intercoms (+250%) in 2022 than in 2021. Video systems set the standard here, as people want to see who’s ringing their doorbell. The number of alarm systems and hazard detectors (fire alarms) that were ordered has also more than doubled compared to the previous year (+220%).
Sales of smart locks have increased by 160%, but remain at a low level. Network cameras were already among the bestsellers at Galaxus in Germany and Austria in 2021, but another 31% more were ordered in 2022.
The trend continues in 2023: sales of motion detectors have already reached 70% of the level of 2021 (full year), as have door intercoms, cameras and hazard detectors. Padlocks have even exceeded 2021 sales figures in the first quarter of this year. «There’s a digital security trend,» says Patrick Krapf, Category Business Manager at Galaxus. «Being able to see from our mobile phone what’s going on within our own four walls – ideally nothing – gives us peace of mind.» Here are five current examples from the security sector:
Millenials are gearing up
Millenials in particular are preparing their homes for the future: 35-44 year-olds account for every third sale in the home security sector. Those aged 55+ make more than one in four purchases (27%) and one in five (21%) orders are placed by 45-54 year-olds. Motion detectors and door intercoms are equally popular in all age groups, but it looks like interest in hazard detectors in Germany and Austria only starts at the age of 34, and most alarm systems are not purchased until the age of 45.
Burglary detection rate varies greatly from Bremen to Bavaria
Depending on where in Germany or Austria you live, the burglary rate and the chance of detecting it is high or low. As a rule, the larger the city, the more burglaries per person and the lower the detection rate by the police. In Bremen and Berlin, for example, about 150 burglaries per 100,000 residents were registered in 2021 (source: Wohnglueck.de). The detection rate was 7% in Bremen and 9.6% in Berlin. In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, however, only 18 and 30 burglaries were recorded per 100,000 people in the same period – and every third case was detected.
How safe is your home when you’re not there? Do you take protective measures? Let us know in the comment section.
Daniel Borchers
Senior Communications Manager
Daniel.Borchers@galaxus.deA soft spot for good series, loud music, science fiction and (second division) football. As PR Manager, I am available to answer journalists' questions about Galaxus and honest e-commerce.