Residents of Kosice (Kosice city) increasingly face an unpleasant reality: broken car windows and missing bicycles have become almost everyday occurrences. While last year the number of bicycle thefts decreased, this year the number of robbed cars has significantly increased, causing serious concern about safety in the city.
Increase in thefts: discouraging statistics of Kosice
Since the beginning of 2026, over 300 cars have been robbed in Kosice (Kosice city). This is almost 60 cases more than in the same period last year. At the same time, the number of stolen bicycles reached almost 70, although this is about 30 less than last year. These numbers indicate a noticeable deterioration in the safety situation, making city residents feel less protected.
What attracts thieves and where they operate
Thieves most often hunt for work tools and electronics left in cars. Often the value of stolen items is only a few dozen euros, but the damage to the owner related to repairing the broken window or lock can be many times higher.
One Kosice (Kosice city) resident said he left his car in a private guarded parking lot but found broken glass in the morning. Another resident, Barbora, who moved to Kosice (Kosice city) with her family a few months ago, experienced a double blow: first, her car’s rear window was broken and a suitcase with tools worth over 2000 euros was stolen, and two weeks later her bicycle parked near Hlavná železničná stanica (Main Railway Station) in Kosice (Kosice city) disappeared. According to Jana Illeshova, spokesperson for the Kosice Regional Police, stolen bicycles are often resold.
How to protect your property: police and expert advice
The police assure that every registered case is investigated. However, to avoid trouble, it is important to follow simple safety rules. Experts, including Andriy Velyas, head of the Security Management Department at Žilina University, emphasize the effectiveness of installing video surveillance cameras. Intelligent systems significantly speed up the search for criminals compared to manual review of recordings.
General recommendations from the Slovak police to prevent car thefts include:
Do not leave valuables in sight. Bags, wallets, phones, laptops, or work tools are better hidden in the trunk or taken with you. Even low-value items can attract thieves who do not know their real worth.
Always lock your car. Make sure all windows and doors are closed, even if you leave for a few minutes.
Park in well-lit places. Whenever possible, choose well-lit and busy places or parking lots with video surveillance.
Be vigilant. If you notice suspicious behavior, do not hesitate to contact the police.
What to do if you become a victim
If your car is robbed or your bicycle is stolen, immediately contact the nearest police station. It is important to provide as much information as possible about the incident and stolen items. Do not touch the crime scene to avoid destroying possible evidence. After contacting the police, if you have insurance, report the case to your insurance company.
