Around three in the morning, just a few steps from Dulovo námestie square in the Bratislava district of Ružinov, a resident of a first-floor apartment woke up to a rustling sound near the window. An unknown person cut the mosquito net (mosquito screen) on the open window with a knife and tried to get inside. The thief was scared off by the loud scream of the owner and then ran away.
The incident happened at about 3:20 a.m. There were no victims, and the offender has not yet been caught.
The district is not new in police reports
Burglaries with break-ins in Ružinov (district) — which belongs to the second police district of Bratislava — happen regularly. In May 2025, the police were looking for offenders who robbed a restaurant on Dulovo námestie: bottles of alcohol and mobile phones were taken from there. In March of the same year, a supermarket in the district was robbed, with the cash register containing up to 700 euros stolen.
But the problem is not only in Ružinov. According to data cited by TASR, almost 3,300 burglaries were recorded across Slovakia in 2024 alone. The peak traditionally falls in summer: people go on vacation, and the heat forces them to keep windows open at night.
How to secure your apartment
The Bratislava police publish reminders every year before the vacation season, and this case clearly shows why. Main recommendations:
At night, close windows on the first floors or leave them only in ventilation mode. The mosquito net (mosquito screen) offers no obstacle.
Do not leave keys near the entrance door or in visible places.
Before leaving, ask neighbors or acquaintances to watch your home, and do not turn off the lights completely. A timer for a lamp costs a few euros.
Do not post vacation plans on social media in advance and do not keep window blinds closed for a long time. This is a clear signal that no one is home.
If you witness or become a victim of a break-in, call the free police line 158. More important contacts are collected in our phone directory.
Residents of first floors in Bratislava now have a simple choice: sleep in the heat with the window closed or leave it open, remembering that the mosquito net (mosquito screen) offers no protection.
