Break and Enter Prevention
York Regional Police encourages residents to take proactive steps to help keep their home safe.
Take these six steps to protect your home from criminals
Break and enters are often crimes of opportunity. The more difficult you make it for thieves to break into your home, the more likely it is that they will move along.
Use technology: Install security cameras and put indoor and outdoor lights on timers
- Cameras and lights may scare off thieves looking to break into your home.
- Images captured by security cameras may allow police to identify suspicious people around your property, or significantly increase the chance of suspects conducting break-and-enters being identified.
- Lights on timers can be controlled from your phone, and will give thieves the impression that someone is home.
Clean up the yard: Cut back trees, shrubs and anything blocking the view of entrances
- Thieves use trees, shrubs and other landscaping to keep themselves from being seen while they break into homes.
- Neighbours, police and passers-by won't be able to see someone breaking in if they are hidden from sight by a tree, or bush.
- Thieves also use trees and other landscaping to gain access to homes through windows or
Shut it down: Close, lock and secure all doors and windows
- Thieves like to test for an easy way in: Locking doors and windows may be the easiest step you can take to deter them.
- Don't forget to lock windows on upper floors, in basements, or to close and lock your garage.
- Install a good, quality deadbolt lock, and block sliding doors from opening on their tracks.
Don't make it obvious: Store valuables somewhere unexpected
- Limit the valuable items in your home that someone can see through a window or doorway.
- Do not store valuables in the bedroom. The bedroom is often the first, and sometimes the only, place thieves will look.
- Consider purchasing a safety deposit box, or invest in a safe for items that are irreplaceable.
- Usually, thieves are looking for items they can sell, like jewelry, electronics, high-end fashion, and cash.
Won't you be my neighbour? Know your neighbours and have them watch your home
- Get to know your neighbours. Watch their home while they're away, and have them watch yours.
- Ask a neighbour to remove flyers or newspapers that may pile up while you're out of town.
- Ask someone to shovel your driveway or mow your lawn while you're away. If you usually park in the driveway, ask a neighbour to park their car there instead.
- Call police and tell your neighbours if you notice suspicious activity in your community.
Help us help you: Register on the York Regional Police Security Camera Registry
- Cameras entered into the Security Camera Registry have helped solve sexual assaults, auto thefts, hit and runs and armed abductions, as well as break and enters.
- Cameras are plotted onto a map, which helps police know where to turn for help when searching for video evidence.
- Registering does not give police access to your camera, it just allows us to know where cameras are located while investigating.
Break and enter prevention tips
Take the six steps to protect your home from thieves - and then consider these tips.
Secure doors
Start with your main entry points:
- Install a solid deadbolt lock and high-quality hardware
- Use wide-angle peepholes — consider a lower peephole for children
- Make sure door hinges are on the inside or use non-removable hinge pins
- Replace short screws in strike plates with longer 2½ to 3½ inch screws to resist forced entry
Secure windows and patio doors
Windows and sliding doors are common weak spots:
- Add blocking devices or screws to prevent sliding doors and windows from being lifted out of tracks
- Place a snug security bar or wood dowel in sliding door tracks
- Install pins in sliding windows to prevent forced opening
- Reinforce vulnerable glass with polycarbonate panels where appropriate
Protect your home while you're away
Before you travel:
- Put lights on timers
- Ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home
- Pause mail and newspaper delivery
- Avoid posting vacation updates or photos in real time
- Arrange lawn care or snow removal if needed
- Ask someone to park in your driveway
- Do a final check of valuables and insurance coverage
When you return:
- Check around your home before entering
- Keep blinds in their usual position for routine appearance
Protect your vehicle
- Never leave your vehicle running unattended
- Always lock doors and keep keys secure
- Park in a garage when possible
- Keep valuables out of sight or in the trunk
Secure your apartment or condo
If you live in a multi-unit building, stay alert:
- Don’t let strangers follow you into the building
- Never prop open secure doors
- Use only your first initial on public directories
- Get to know your neighbours
- Report suspicious activity right away
Landlords can help by:
- Posting clear safety reminders near entrances
- Maintaining lighting and secure access points
- Encouraging community safety programs
Underground parking safety
- Check for suspicious activity before entering
- Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle
- Lock your doors immediately after entering
- Inspect your vehicle before getting in
Elevator safety
- If you feel uncomfortable, wait for the next elevator
- Stand near the control panel and be aware of other passengers
- Exit immediately if someone makes you uneasy
- Press multiple floor buttons if you feel threatened
Laundry rooms and shared space safety
- Go during busy times or bring someone with you
- Tell someone where you’re going if you go alone
- Look inside before entering
- Report suspicious behaviour
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