Returning home to find you’ve been broken into is a nerve-wracking experience, and according data from Richmond’s Property Crime Map, it’s one residents throughout the city have gone through.
Break-and-enters appear to affect all areas of the city, with no neighbourhood being immune. Last year, 773 homes were broken into in Richmond.
Thieves don’t appear to target Burkeville too often, and break-ins were sparser on the Agricultural Land Reserve. But that could be because homes themselves are more spread out in those areas.
Residential break-and-enters spiked in 2014, although police say that was due to a few prolific offenders robbing many homes.
In the first four months 2019, 215 homes were broken into. If break-ins continue at the same rate, it could be an even more intense year for residential property crime in the city.
Dennis Hwang with Richmond RCMP said police do notice neighbourhoods with more engaged residents tend not to be targeted as often.
“What this means is that getting to know your neighbours is one of the best ways to prevent this type of crime.”
By the same token, Hwang said homes with absentee owners are more likely to be broken into.
Statistically, break-ins are more common in the fall. But Hwang urged residents not to be lulled into a false sense of security, since break-ins can happen any time of year.
What to do if your home is broken into
If your home is broken into, call the Richmond RCMP’s non-emergency line right away.
Officers attending the scene will look for clues, including forensic evidence like fingerprints. They’ll also try to determine how the criminals entered your home, and through what access point.
“Criminals are creatures of habit,” Hwang said, so police will look for similarities to other recent burglaries.
Officers will also take your statement, interview neighbours and review surveillance footage you or others on your street may have.
“Lower cost security cameras and cloud based security cameras are greatly helping owners and assisting the police,” Hwang said.
If police catch the crooks and recover stolen items, there’s a chance your things could be returned. But that can only happen if you can prove to police the item was yours in the first place.
Hwang advised providing receipts, photos and serial numbers for big ticket items like electronics, so police can return them to you.
Last year, Richmond RCMP discovered a massive cache of stolen goods in storage lockers throughout the city.
“Catching property offenders requires commitment, resources, and resolve,” Hwang said.
“Our current teams are extremely motivated and have a vast amount of experience and skills shared by all of its officers.”
