Some West Vancouver residents have unwittingly been giving thieves a leg up on breaking in to their homes, warns the West Vancouver Police Department.
Police are asking residents to be more careful after criminals started the year with a spree of nine residential break-ins.
Thieves have used ladders left outdoors to access upper floors and balconies to break in, said Const. Jeff Palmer, spokesman for the West Vancouver police.
In several cases, thieves targeted homes while residents were away.
Police advise it’s a good idea to arrange for someone to stay at your home while you’re away or check it regularly, including removing mail or newspapers that might tip off thieves to your absence.
Some homeowners might consider installing a security alarm or video surveillance system, Palmer added. Residents should also make sure they’re not giving would-be thieves a leg up by leaving ladders – or anything else that might help someone break in – outside.
West Vancouver police have also received 27 reports of thefts from vehicles so far in January. More than 80 per cent of those cases involve valuables left unattended in unlocked vehicles, said Palmer.
Police urge residents to avoid storing valuables in any unattended vehicle.
