Within past few months expat properties have been broken into. Two teachers flats were burglarized and one ground floor office. Situations were somewhat different. The teacher's apartments were entered from their high floor balconies. In office scenario access was gained from sliding window at ground floor level, but heck of a reach to climb in. The outside wooden shutters had not been closed/locked.
With teachers, lap tops were taken, any cash laying around etc. and apartments generally trashed. For office the burglar knew exactly where to look for the locked up cash - brought his own tools fit for the job. Then proceeded to ransack remainder of cabinets etc. leaving even some very nice "give a way" promotional watches in full view. Was only interested in money and knew where it was.
In all cases one has to suspect inside help and certainly these break ins are not random, as thieves had prior knowledge of tenant, movements etc. Be cautious and do think about whom to trust - better no one. Check out how vulnerable your place could be.
Reporting thievery to police can be a hassle but must be done. OK to make a phone call but action, if any, will be very long in happening. Better go to police station and write out the complaint -but take an Egyptian friend whom can translate for you and notify the landlord. Then more senior police will get involved then and a trip back to flat will occur and maybe you will need to drive the people to scene and back to police station. A few trips back and forth maybe required.
Usually police will detain all persons working with building or surrounds, like if you have a Maid, Bowab, Gardener etc. But what happens next can be worrisome. The local police may decide, for whatever reason, to just refer the persons detained to Prosecution Department Downtown without doing much of an investigation. If that happens they will be held for minimum of 4 days. So, if you have no good reason to suspect any of the individuals detained make a point of this.
You can buy home insurance in Cairo against fire, theft etc so another item to consider if living here or moving in.
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