News release
Protect your home: simple steps can help deter break and enters
September 22, 2026
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Richmond, British Columbia
From: Richmond RCMP
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Richmond RCMP is reminding residents that a few simple security measures can significantly reduce the risk of residential break and enters and help police identify offenders when crimes do occur.
As part of a crime prevention awareness campaign, Richmond RCMP has released a short public education video highlighting practical steps homeowners can take to make their properties less attractive to thieves. The video demonstrates how visible security measures, secure habits, and community vigilance can discourage criminals from targeting homes.
Contrary to popular belief, residential break and enters do not only occur late at night. Many incidents take place during daytime hours, at dusk, or when homeowners are away at work, school, or on vacation. Criminals often look for signs that a residence is unoccupied and may target homes with unlocked doors or windows, accessible valuables, or limited security measures.
Transcription
Description: A video demonstrating tips that can help make your home less enticing for thieves.
[A title reads: “Protect Your Home”.]
[Two children and their mother leave their house. A thief emerges from hiding in a bush.]
How can you protect your home from thieves?
[A home alarm panel lights up as the words “SYSTEM ACTIVE” is shown on the display.]
Set your alarm.
[The thief walks up to the front door. The door magically locks itself.]
Always lock your door.
[Figuring out the door is locked, the thief looks under the doormat to find a key hidden underneath.]
Don’t hide spare keys outside your home.
[The thief picks up the key. The key magically disappears, surprising the thief.]
[The thief moves to an open window and spots a laptop, keys, and a wallet on a table.]
Keep valuables out of sight and lock your windows.
[The window closes itself and locks.]
[The angry thief grabs a hammer to break the window. He lifts the hammer, getting ready to strike.]
[A security camera records the thief. The thief looks into the camera and hides the hammer behind his back.]
Security cameras are a great deterrent and can help police identify thieves.
[Inside the house, a radio lights up with the words “RADIO ON”.]
Turning on your radio…
[The thief hears the radio.]
[A lamp turns on.]
Putting a timer on your lights and playing TV, makes it seem like someone is home.
[A television turns on, playing the news. The news broadcast shows “RCMP FRAUD AWARENESS CAMPAIGN”. The thief sees this.]
Thief
Someone’s home!
[The thief runs away from the house.]
[An RCMP officer talks to camera.]
Cpl. Melissa Lui
Your home can’t protect itself. By working together, we can leave thieves out in the cold.
[We zoom out to reveal the officer caught the thief. The officer walks the thief to a police car.]
Let’s go.
[The video fades to black.]
[RCMP/GRC copyright notice appears]
[Government of Canada wordmark with a waving Canadian flag appears.]
The video encourages residents to:
- Always lock doors and windows, even when leaving for a short period.
- Activate home alarm systems whenever possible.
- Avoid hiding spare keys outside the home.
- Keep valuables, wallets, vehicle keys, and electronic devices out of sight.
- Install and regularly test security cameras and alarm systems.
- Use light timers, radios, or televisions to create the appearance that someone is home when away.
- Ensure security cameras provide clear, high-quality footage that may assist police investigations.
“Your home can't protect itself. By taking a few simple precautions, residents can reduce their chances of becoming victims of property crime and help police identify suspects when offences occur,” says Corporal Frank Bryson of Richmond RCMP. “Security cameras, alarms, and attentive neighbours all play an important role in preventing crime and keeping our communities safe.”
Richmond RCMP also encourages residents to report suspicious activity immediately. Individuals observing suspicious persons, vehicles, or behaviour in their neighbourhood should contact police as soon as possible. Timely reporting can allow officers to respond quickly and may prevent crimes from occurring.
Residents are further encouraged to report all break and enters, attempted break and enters, and theft-related incidents to police. Even when property is not taken, reports help investigators identify crime trends, allocate resources, and connect incidents that may be related.
When reporting suspicious activity or a crime, residents should provide as much detail as possible, including:
- Descriptions of suspects and vehicles.
- Licence plate numbers, where available.
- Direction of travel.
- Security camera footage or photographs.
- Dates and times of observed activity.
Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 9-1-1 immediately. Non-emergency incidents can be reported through the Richmond RCMP non-emergency line.
Richmond RCMP invites residents to watch and share the accompanying crime prevention video to help spread awareness and reduce opportunities for property crime throughout the community.
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Contacts
Media Relations Officer
Richmond RCMP
richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
604-207-5189