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Richmond RCMP is reminding people to take steps to prevent home theft or theft from auto.

Photo by Athina Nourali

RCMP provide security, anti-theft tips

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 2:08 PST, Thu December 8, 2022

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Richmond RCMP is reminding the public of steps that can be taken to help prevent your home from being a target for thieves.

Between 2020 and 2021, Richmond RCMP saw a 31 per cent decrease in residential break and enters overall due to its priority action planning to reduce property crimes. But with more holiday gatherings and travel plans on the rise, people can take proactive measures to prevent their homes from becoming a target for break and enters.

“I work with an excellent and dedicated team of investigators who work hard to identify and arrest offenders committing break and enters in our community,” says Sgt. Russel Yugai, investigative services support non-commissioned officer. “Ultimately, our goal is to reduce crime in our community. Being proactive and educating the public around measures they can implement to keep their homes safe is an integral part of our crime reduction strategy.”

Tips to help keep your home secure include:

Close and lock all windows each time you leave your home.
If you have an alarm, ensure you set it before you leave home.
Do not keep ladders or tools on the outside of your home—if something can be used to gain entry into your home, keep it locked up and out of sight.
While on vacation, arrange for someone to shovel snow or mow the lawn and park in your driveway. It’s ideal to have someone you trust housesit for you so your home is still lived in while you are away. If this is not possible, make sure your home looks lived in.
Use timers on indoor lights and tamper-proof, motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your home. Lighting is the most effective crime prevention tool, since criminals do not want to be seen.

Police also want to prevent people from becoming a victim of theft from auto.

“We want to ensure your gifts end up in the hands they were intended for and not some opportunistic thieves,” says Cpl. Ray Basi, Richmond property crime unit non-commissioned officer. “Our officers are out there and working hard to catch those committing these crimes, but we also need the public’s help. By following some basic tips, such as not leaving gifts and other personal items in a car, the public can play an integral part in reducing these crimes.”

Tips that can help prevent your vehicle from being broken into include:

Do not leave any property in your vehicle. Thieves will break in for as little as a few coins or a cigarette lighter. If you absolutely must leave items in your vehicle, secure them in the trunk as many thieves routinely check the glove box and under the seat for hidden items. Typical items stolen from vehicles include purses, wallets, credit cards, GPS units, passports, house keys, cash, clothing, and sunglasses.
If you see any suspicious people or activities near a vehicle, call the police immediately. Report suspicious activity while it is happening, and try to get a description of the suspects and their vehicle (including licence plate). Do not confront the suspects.

In addition to stealing gifts or other personal items, thieves can also smash the window of your vehicle, leaving you with an expensive repair.

Anyone who has been the victim of a break and enter, attempted break and enter, theft from auto, or attempted theft from auto should report it to the police of jurisdiction. Whether or not entry was gained or something was stolen, reporting incidents allows police to investigate and attempt to identify the individual(s) involved. It also allows police to determine modus operandi, track potential crime trends, and assign additional resources to areas being targeted.

For more tips on home security and preventing theft from autos, visit the BC RCMP website.