Scandinavia insurance firms report rise in residential and bicycle thefts

Insurance companies in Scandinavia are reporting significant trends in property crime. Tryg Forsikring noted a 19 percent increase in residential burglaries this summer compared to last year, with insurance payouts rising by nearly 30 percent. According to Torbjørn Brandegden, a communications advisor at Tryg, thieves are increasingly targeting small, high-value items such as jewelry, gold, silverware, and watches rather than large electronics, as these are easier to resell.

In Denmark, If Forsikring has issued warnings regarding a surge in bicycle thefts. Data shows that September is one of the most active months for thieves, with theft rates sitting 22 percent above the monthly average. Helene Ibsen, a housing manager at If, highlighted the boldness of thieves, noting instances of daylight thefts captured on security footage. Beyond bicycles, thieves are also targeting mobile phones, wallets, and computers left in bike baskets or on luggage carriers.