The recent spike in thefts from Sliema residences has not only had a monetary and material effect on residents but also a psychological one, with some of the victims refusing to leave home.

A relative of a Sliema couple who had their apartment ransacked last month said they did not want to leave their home unattended and took it in turns to go out for their daily stroll on the Sliema Front.

“They’re refusing to leave the house unattended and all the things they usually did together they now do alone, including shopping, going to Mass, going for a walk, meeting friends... It’s keeping them apart,” the relative said on condition of anonymity.

“They’re scared; very scared. My grandfather spends hours at the window, watching people’s movements.

“He’s continuously on the lookout for suspicious people and we had to stop him from calling the police on several occasions. It literally takes over your life,” she said, describing the psychological impact the robbery had on her grandparents.

Another woman, who also wanted to remain anonymous, had all her jewellery stolen while she and husband were out for a walk. The jewellery had sentimental value as it was passed on by her late mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She said the burglar had also stolen her engagement ring as well as her husband’s gold cufflinks, tie clip and Rolex watch.

My grandfather spends hours at the window, watching people’s movements

“We used to imagine our third-floor apartment was safe but now we realise how wrong we were. All it takes is for someone to open the front door to the block of flats and they’re in,” she said, warning all other flat owners to be very careful whom they opened for and to secure doors to the roof.

A Sliema resident who lives in a fourth-floor apartment was the victim of vicious burglars in June.

“There was not one thing that remained in place. We found a total mess at home. They even tore clothes in the wardrobe, slashed empty handbags and smashed the computer screen.

“It was a mix between theft and vandalism. Maybe they were pi**ed off they found very little cash,” he said.

The man said he was now ensuring someone remained home at all times.