Interest in glass and security foil is increasing due to a wave of burglaries in the Tokyo area

A specialist contractor applies a protective film to the window to make it more resistant to breakage, as seen in a photo provided by Secom Co.

TOKYO — A recent spate of robberies in the Tokyo area has sparked growing interest in glass and security film because attackers typically break in by breaking windows. As a result, major home security companies in Japan have seen a significant increase in inquiries.

More than 10 home invasions occurred in the Tokyo metropolitan area between August and October. The attackers used typical methods such as breaking windows to enter homes and tying up residents with duct tape.

By October 24, police had arrested over 30 people aged 10 to 40 on suspicion of involvement in repeated crimes. Investigations found that suspects were lured on social media with offers such as high rewards and “white” gigs, as opposed to “black” companies that force employees to work in difficult conditions only to engage in crimes known as as a “dark part-time job”. jobs.”

Large security company Secom Co. sells security glass designed to withstand impacts from large tools such as crowbars, as well as security films to prevent objects from entering. The number of inquiries sent to the company in October increased 40 times compared to the same period last year.

In this photo provided by Secom Co. you can see safety glass with a structure that is resistant to the impacts of large tools such as crowbars.

There has also been increased interest in home security systems, where sensors installed around windows and doors can detect abnormalities and alert security personnel. A company spokesperson noted that “many inquiries are coming from people living in single-family homes,” with a noticeable trend of customers re-evaluating their use of security devices and considering improving home security.

Similarly, an increasing number of customers are consulting with security giant Sohgo Security Services Co. (ALSOK) on security products and services. According to a company spokesman, many inquiries come from concerns about the safety of elderly parents who live alone or from former clients who want to reactivate their security services.

Hiroaki Hamada, a researcher at the Secom Intelligent Systems Laboratory familiar with residential crime prevention measures, urged people to be vigilant, saying: “It is also important to buy time to call the police if thieves enter your home. The simplest and cheapest measure is to close (doors and windows).”

(Japanese original: Hisako Sugita, Digital News Group)