The Toothpick Method: How Burglars Check Whether Your Home Is Empty

An inconspicuous wooden stick in your door could become a key tool for burglars – and many people notice it only when it is too late.

Police and residents in several European countries are reporting a new tactic used by burglars: a simple toothpick placed in a door or lock can tell them whether anyone is at home. Anyone unfamiliar with the trick can easily miss the tiny piece of wood, unknowingly making their home an ideal target.

How burglars check whether a home is genuinely empty

Burglaries rarely happen at random. Offenders deliberately look for addresses where they can operate without being disturbed, often watching houses and flats for several days.

For years, gangs have used small, discreet aids to establish whether a property is unoccupied. Familiar examples include:

• a tiny adhesive dot on the front door
• a folded piece of paper placed in the door gap
• advertising leaflets deliberately pushed into the letterbox

If these items remain untouched for hours or days, burglars take this as a clear sign: nobody is returning home and nobody will interrupt them.

The new toothpick method at the front door

Investigators are currently focusing on a particularly devious variation: a toothpick placed in the lock or door frame. The principle behind it is simple but effective.

“A single toothpick is enough for burglars to know for certain: this door has not been opened for hours or even days.”

This is how the tactic works:

• The offenders insert a thin toothpick into the keyhole or wedge it into the door frame.
• They watch the property or return the following day.
• If the piece of wood is still in precisely the same position, they consider the household “probably empty”.
• They then plan the actual burglary – usually after dark or when there is little activity in the street.

The problem is that many residents do not notice the toothpick at all, or dismiss it as a coincidence. The tiny wooden piece is especially easy to overlook on dark doors or in poorly lit communal hallways.

Why the toothpick method is so dangerous

Compared with obvious markings such as spray-chalk symbols or stickers, a toothpick appears harmless. That is exactly what makes this method so appealing to criminals.

For them, the trick offers several advantages:

• Discretion: To neighbours, it does not look like deliberate preparation.
• Low risk: The offenders only need to approach the door briefly, with no tools or force required.
• Clear information: If the toothpick remains untouched, there is a high likelihood that the residents will be away for longer.

The toothpick method is not limited to detached homes; it can also be used at rented flats in blocks of flats. Even in busy buildings, there are entrances that are rarely used in the evening.

Warning signs you should look out for from now on

Anyone wanting to protect their flat should be more observant. Paying close attention to your own door and the communal hallway can thwart a burglar’s plan.

Suspicious traces directly on the door

• Toothpicks or wood splinters in the lock
• Small foreign objects in the door frame that ought to fall out when the door is opened
• Adhesive dots, threads or narrow paper strips between the door and frame

An overflowing letterbox can also act as an invitation. It does not only signal to burglars but also to opportunistic thieves that nobody is looking after the flat.

Unfamiliar notes, leaflets and “advertising”

In some cases, offenders use advertising slips as a pretext. If a particular leaflet remains attached to every door for several days, that is normal. However, if it appears only on selected flats or houses, it is worth taking a closer look.

“Anyone who finds anything unusual on their front door should not hesitate to remove it – and should remember when and where it appeared.”

How to make your home less appealing to burglars

There is no such thing as complete protection. However, you can make life considerably harder for burglars and make your flat seem less attractive to them.

Create the impression that someone is home – even when nobody is

Burglars generally avoid homes that appear occupied. Just a few straightforward measures can indicate that someone returns home and that there is activity inside.

• Use timer switches: Turn lights on and off at set times in the evening.
• Vary your blinds or shutters: Avoid leaving them all permanently down at the same time; use timers instead.
• Install motion sensors: Fit outdoor lights that switch on automatically when someone approaches.
• Radio or smart speaker: Create sounds at irregular intervals.

Involve neighbours – the best early-warning system

Having trustworthy neighbours is an important security advantage. They can quickly spot when something is wrong.

• Agree who will empty the letterbox while you are away.
• Ask them to occasionally leave a window slightly open or move a blind or shutter.
• Make clear that unusual markings or objects at the door should be removed immediately.

Many areas also have organised schemes in which residents look out for one another and report suspicious observations directly to the police and local authorities.

What to do if you notice a toothpick

Anyone who finds a toothpick or other suspicious traces on their door should take action rather than simply removing them casually.

• Carefully remove and keep the toothpick or object.
• Note the date, time and location.
• Ask neighbours whether they have noticed anything similar.
• Inform the police, especially if there have recently been burglaries in the area.

“Every report helps investigators identify patterns and narrow down hotspots – and may prevent the next burglary.”

Why simple tricks are often so effective

Many people imagine burglary gangs as heavily equipped and perfectly organised using sophisticated technology. In reality, offenders usually use whatever is quick, cheap and inconspicuous. A toothpick costs almost nothing, attracts no attention and can be used anywhere.

The best response is not a high-tech system, but a combination of awareness, neighbourliness and a few well-considered routines. Anyone who consciously checks their door every day is more likely to notice quickly when something is wrong.

Practical additions for greater everyday security

Alongside the toothpick method, other simple techniques are used to mark or test flats. People who understand the issue can recognise patterns more quickly and respond with greater confidence.

• Door viewers and intercom systems: Give you control over who is actually at the door.
• Strong locks and additional bolts: Deter opportunistic offenders looking for a quick haul.
• Documenting valuables: Serial numbers and photographs can help if, despite every precaution, a burglary does occur.

If children or older relatives live in the household, explain such tricks to them sensitively. A brief reminder of what to look for when returning home – such as toothpicks, adhesive dots or notes on the door – is usually enough.

This gradually creates exactly what burglars dislike: a vigilant environment where small details are noticed and nobody silently looks away when something seems strange at doors and locks.