Secure your home

Durham police are reminding home owners to make sure their residences and properties are secured to prevent crime.

Crime trends show that during the spring and summer months, there has been an increase in break-and-enters, attempted break-and-enters, as well as other property crime-related offences.

Police say this is due to residents leaving their primary residences as they go to work or when absent from their homes for essential reasons.

There are several precautions home owners can take to ensure they do not become victims of a property related crime, including notifying friends or family of any planned absence so the residence can be checked on, having a friend or family member remove mail or door hangers from the front door regularly while away, and check to ensure all windows and doors are secured before leaving.

If possible, have another vehicle visible in the driveway and utilize timers on interior and exterior lights for the evening and night hours.

Video surveillance or alarm systems can also act as a deterrent and assist in solving crimes in neighbourhoods.

Police say home owners shouldn’t store valuables, such as jewelry, in the main bedroom as this is the most commonly targeted room in a residence during a break-and-enter.

Any suspicious activity by a person or vehicle observed in a neighbourhood can be reported to Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520.