Revealed: The chilling ‘calling cards’ that thieves could use to target YOU – from cryptic ‘Da Pinchi Code’ and chalk X Marks the Spot messages… to bizarre Christmas gnomes in gardens
For years thieves have used a series of so-calling ‘calling cards’ to target potential burglary victims.
Homeowners have reported fears of possible thieves leaving the cryptic ‘Da Pinchi Code’ and chalk markings on their streets.
And police this week issued a warning after receiving reports that a mysterious ‘Christmas gnome’ had been left in garden – which they fear could be the latest secret symbol used to mark properties worth targeting.
Data this summer revealed that almost 600 burglaries are going unsolved every day in Britain. Some 213,279 police investigations into break-ins were closed last year without a suspect being identified, analysis of Home Office figures by the Liberal Democrats has shown.
This amounts to 76.8 per cent of all cases across England and Wales in 2022-23 – an average of 584 a day, according to the Lib Dems.
South Yorkshire Police was said to have the worst clear-up rate with 84.4 per cent of all recorded burglaries unsolved, followed by Hampshire (83.1) and Scotland Yard (81.6).
The Lib Dems claim the drop in neighbourhood policing teams and Police Community Support Officers is to blame. However, it emerged earlier this summer that police are now attending every home burglary for the first time.
Now, as all 43 chief constables agreed to prioritise the crime, MailOnline reveals some of the calling cards that you should keep your eyes peeled for…
The areas with the biggest rise in the number of burglaries during the past year have been revealed
GARDEN GNOMES
North Wales Police have issued an urgent warning to homeowners who mysteriously find a ‘Christmas gnome’ in their garden amid fears of a sinister motive.
Detectives have been receiving reports of people in the Broughton area of Wales finding the ornaments with no explanation.
The force released an image of a festive decoration – but warned it could represent criminals’ latest weapon to target homes. Officers suggested it could be a trick by potential burglars to see if anyone is home or not.
A spokesman for the Flintshire North branch of the force said on Tuesday: ‘We are aware of a report of individuals in the Broughton area leaving Christmas gnomes in residential front gardens.
North Wales Police released an image of a festive decoration – but warned there could be a sinister reason for it being found
‘This type of behaviour is sometimes used as a “calling card” to see if the gnome is collected by the resident.
‘If not, the property is likely to be empty and could be an easy target for burglaries.
‘We would advise residents to be vigilant and ensure your home is secure.’
Community members, discussing the matter on Facebook, have hailed the practice as being ‘old as the hills’.
Another suggested: ‘Could also be used by dog thieves as a signal there is a dog worth stealing in that garden.’
As part of the appeal, the local policing team urged anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact the force via their website or through 101.
DA PINCHI CODE
Debate as reignited over whether the so-called ‘Da Pinchi Code’ is real after a family noticed a strange mark carved on a tree close to their home just days before a ‘Grand Theft Auto’-style gang stole three cars.
For years, anxious homeowners have searched for signs of secret symbols daubed on their streets amid fears thieves are using a series of code to mark properties worth targeting.
The markings seen outside the family’s home in Sandwell, the West Midlands, raised suspicions it could be connected to thefts of their Audi, BMW and Mercedes on August 9.
One of the victims has warned people to be on guard, speaking to Birmingham Live, he said: ‘We found a suspicious mark on the tree outside of our house, I don’t know if they used that to mark out our house or anything.
‘We first noticed that about a week before, it was like they scratched off a load of bark, or burnt the tree slightly at the bottom. It’s directly outside the drive.’
A West Midlands family claimed they saw a mark carved on to a tree just days before a ‘Grand Theft Auto’-style gang stole three cars, raising concerns that the ‘Da Pinchi Code’ is real
In 2013 Devon Cornwall Police released a graphic suggesting what the signs meant. But following investigations, police said the marks pointed to work planned by utility firms
He added: ‘We thought it was a bit weird but we thought nothing of it. It was an odd mark, we can’t 100 per cent confirm if this was associated with the crime or not though.’
Markings outside of homes have previously raised concern and in 2013 Devon and Cornwall Police shared an image of signs people should look out for.
Information included an ‘X’ which supposedly meant ‘Good Target’ and a flower-type shape, with five circles, meaning ‘wealthy’.
STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOUSE BEFORE TAKING A HOLIDAY
North Wales Police have shared five top tips to abide by if you’re going to be leaving your house unattended for a few days.
These included making sure social media posts about holidays aren’t public and are only seen by friends.
Homeowners should also leave lights on and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
Homeowners are also urged to ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on the property as well as closing curtains and parking on their drive.
Newspaper and milk deliveries should also be cancelled when not at home, the force said.
Meanwhile a circled ‘X’ was thought to mean ‘Nothing worth stealing’ and a ‘D’ meant ‘Too risky’.
But, after investigation, West Mercia Police said that signs actually pointed to utility work planned by firms.
A police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of messages circulating again on social media purporting to be describing the ‘criminals code’ of paint or chalk markings left outside properties, identifying future potential targets for thieves and burglars.’
‘However, there is no actual evidence to link these symbols to anything other than completely innocent and easily explainable activities.’
The various meanings include indicating power lines, flammable material, water, drains or possible excavation routes.
The said the five circles does not indicate a family is wealthy, but instead shows how many cables are inside a cable duct.
However, one locksmith of Keytech locksmiths who previously worked as a contractor with Met Police explained that some marks could have meaning.
He explained: ‘These marks could be anything from chalk to paint which identifies a home of interest after they [the burglars] have cased the home to identify any security features like CCTV, smart door bells and alarms.’
He said that usually these types of markings can be found on walls, on the curbs, bins and other out of sight places and claimed that these marks differ from construction markings.
He said that the most common signs burglars will leave are ‘simple markings which look inconspicuous’ and they will often look to mark houses ‘which they consider to be an easy target.’
However, he noted that ‘most’ markings are due to road works or construction, and ‘will include a series of spray paint markings along with a number’.
The circles and circles with a diagonal line which were drawn in white chalk (seen here) and sparked fear among families that live in Beville Street, Fenton
Nick Taylor lives in one of the homes was marked (a white circle with a line through it) in Beville Street
Back in 2013, residents in London were concerned after finding transparent stickers marked on their homes. At the time police officers believed that ‘scouts’ placed them outside properties they deemed vulnerable
He added: ‘Should any markings be made in chalk or paint or look out of place with no other marks around them, we would always suggest contacting the non-emergency police number 101 or reporting it through your local police website.’
Homeowners have feared such marks for a while and, in 2022, residents in Stoke on Trent reportedly found circles and circles with a diagonal line drawn outside their houses.
At the time Nick Taylor, 39, who lived in one of the homes that has been marked in Beville Street said it has left him feeling ‘worried’.
He added: ‘I’ve heard about people doing it. It’s usually done for dogs.’
X MARKS THE SPOT MESSAGES
READ MORE: Do you live in a burglary hotspot? More than 500 homes burgled every day – we reveal which areas have had the biggest uptick in the past year
A worried resident in South West London has sparked a discussion on social media about whether their property has been staked out for a potential burglary – after finding a mysterious cross etched on a plant pot.
The property owner, from Richmond, posted on the Next Door app in June, detailing their concern after finding the chalk mark.
The Richmond resident said: ‘We found the “x” marking with black chalk marked on our pot in our patio this morning.
‘This is definitely man made mark and wasn’t there before as I washed the pots few days ago and would have noticed it. We are afraid this may be robbery mark as a potential target.’
Many responded saying that the mark could indicate the social media user’s home might have been identified by criminals as a target and advised caution.
One responded: ‘It’s a known mark for burglary, car on the drive worth taking (or CAT converter) and also known as looking like vulnerable people people living there. Definitely move the pots.’
Another wrote: ‘My friend had a marking on her driveway and her car was stolen.’
In June, a South West London resident said they’d found a chalk cross on a plant pot on their patio, fearing it might be a symbol used by criminals
Other people dismissed the idea of a meaning behind the symbols as ‘scaremongering’, saying that there’s little proof that the chalk marks ever result in a property being burgled.
One wrote: ‘I have heard stories about “secret burglar marks” before and it invariably turns out to be paranoia about something completely innocent. I suspect that the whole thing is an urban myth, if someone was going to burgle a house why on Earth would they advertise it in advance by leaving marks outside?’
Another agreed, saying: ‘Burglar signs are a myth, despite local police forces and tabloid media falling for them. Can anyone find an example of a house being burgled that also had markings found outside?
‘We’d need to see a photo of it but for all we know it was just some kid playing with chalk.’
The Safeguarding Hub, which offers online advice to raise awareness about safeguarding vulnerable people, says the jury’s out on whether the symbols actually translate into crimes.
Many responded saying that the mark could indicate the social media user’s home might have been identified by criminals as a target and advised caution
On it’s website, it says: ‘The use of the symbols is now disputed by some police forces who have released statements advising that there is no evidence to link these marks to any criminality.
‘The argument against the link to burglars contends that these are in fact, harmless road markings used by utility firms or broadband companies to indicate planned works.
‘However, a bit like ‘crop circles’, these reports of strange marks continue to emerge locally.’
LOCKSMITH ADVERTISEMENTS
Similar worries transpired back in 2013, as reports came that burglars were marking houses in London with small, transparent stickers advertising as a locksmith.
The signs, which purport to offer a ‘24-hour service’ but include a fake phone number, are typically placed by letterboxes.
At the time, Wandsworth police officers believed that ‘scouts’ placed stickers on properties they thought to be vulnerable, after checking whether the owners were at home during the day and if the doors and windows were locked.
To ensure your home is protected from burglars, the locksmith said: ‘Security measures such as smart doorbells with a camera, outdoor security cameras, burglar alarms and timed lighting are some of the most effective ways to make a home a less desirable target.’
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AGAINST BURGLARIES
Top tips to help make your home as safe as possible against the threat of burglary:
- Do the basics well: Sometimes an unlocked door or open window can be the only invitation a burglar needs to break into a home. Always make sure you lock all doors and windows at night or before going out, and ensure that all easily accessible, high value items such as wallets, phones and laptops are kept out of sight.
- Make life hard for burglars: As well as installing security measures like cameras and alarms, also consider other items that may be useful for breaking and entering, such as ladders or hammers. Large hedges, fences or trees can also give burglars the cover they need to carry out their actions undetected.
- Take steps when you go away: Before you go on holiday, cancel any papers or milk you might have delivered and install timers which switch lights or radios on automatically. This will make it harder for potential burglars to identify that a house is unoccupied.
- Look out for your neighbours: Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate around the country and anyone can get involved. They are set up to allow local people to help the police cut crime and are led by volunteer co-ordinators who get everyone together to discuss how they can make their area a safer place to live.
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