Thefts in Koramangala and Nearby PGs Prompt Police Advisories on Room Security

A recent string of thefts inside paying guest (PG) accommodations across the city, including a major incident in SG Palya near Koramangala, has prompted police officials to urge residents to lock their rooms and safeguard their valuables.

The issue drew sharp attention after an unidentified intruder entered a women's PG in SG Palya and stole electronic devices worth several lakhs of rupees. The suspect entered multiple rooms while occupants were asleep and took high-value gadgets, including laptops and smartwatches.

Similar incidents have been reported in neighbouring areas. In HSR Layout, a resident reported that a thief entered her mentor's PG room at around 7:30 am and stole a phone left on a table after a roommate left for work and left the door unlatched. Near Jayanagar, a mobile phone valued between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 was stolen from a boys' PG at around 7:30 am after an intruder reached through a window to open an unlatched door. CCTV footage from that facility later showed a masked man entering the premises.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) GK Mithun Kumar advised residents to take personal responsibility for securing their belongings. He urged occupants not to leave cash, jewellery, laptops, mobile phones, or other valuables unattended and to keep them locked inside cupboards before leaving.

DCP Kumar also stated that residents should carry their room keys with them rather than leaving them in accessible spots or handing them to others. He added that PG owners bear the responsibility of informing police immediately if security issues arise.

However, residents noted that keeping rooms constantly locked poses practical difficulties. Many occupants in shared rooms work different shifts, leading to doors being left unlocked so roommates can return without waking others. Furthermore, housekeeping staff require daytime access for cleaning and maintenance, which often results in spare keys being kept at reception desks where they pass through multiple hands.

Police officials have called on PG operators to install CCTV cameras in common areas, verify all visitors and workers, restrict access to authorised staff, and maintain proper registers for spare keys. PG Association president Arun Kumar noted that managements provide locker facilities and generally inform residents that they cannot take responsibility for personal valuables lost in shared accommodations.