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Since the beginning of the year, roughly 40 burglaries per 24 hours have been committed on the average only in Attica, leaving fatalities, injuries and damage worth millions of euros. Gangs of foreigners (mainly Georgians) have emerged recently on the scene: they seem to be out of control and, despite the police actions, their hits are increasing and spreading throughout the country. In a few cases, the criminals have tortured their victims to death.

According to law enforcers, the gangs share the following features:

A leader can be involved in hits with different groups. A gang needs at least seven people to commit a burglary. Two stand guard in front of the target house or apartment. Another two wait a few hundred metres away to secure an escape route. At least four break into the place. To be able to escape police blockades, they typically carry no tools or weapons. A metal bar to pry the door or window open and a knife to immobilize the victim are usually all they carry with them.

The gangs often use their compatriots, even unbeknownst to them, to gather information about a target. They go to places frequented by their fellow nationals, take part in conversations, and as soon as they learn that someone works for a wealthy household, do their best to pry information about their daily routine, e.g. habits, places where they stash money or jewellery, vulnerable points for possible entry, etc.

Looted cash is then divided according to roles in the burglary while gold and jewellery are taken overseas and sold on the black market. This way the police cannot find them locally.

The criminals tend to be pretty tough and even when arrested, they refuse to let anything on. They agree in advance on an alibi to present, and only give monosyllabic answers to interrogators to avoid being trapped in contradictions.

Experienced police officers, who have been tracking the transformation of gangs, are concerned. They advise citizens how to protect themselves and avoid becoming victims. Apart from traditional security measures, e.g. stronger locks, closed windows, alarm systems, etc., law enforcers recommend those who hire domestic assistance to be particularly vigilant and avoid sharing too much information about the household.

13,000 burglaries have been registered since the beginning of the year (6,600 of them took place in the first six months) and 600 muggings (299 of them in the first six months). In other words, about 40 families become victims to criminality every night.

Last week, police busted the largest Georgian gang, which has committed more than 3,000 attacks in the northern and southern suburbs of Athens. Its leader is one of the most notorious mobsters in Europe. This indicates that Greece has become an international hub of organised crime hailing from all over the world.