A notable rise in break-and-enters has been occurring in Metro Vancouver recently, prompting Surrey RCMP to urge residents to take precautions while New Westminster police announced an arrest.

Surrey RCMP issued a public advisory today (October 17) that the number of residential break-and-enters being reported in Surrey has risen over recent months.

According to Surrey RCMP, break-and-enters rose from 13 incidents in July to 26 cases in August and 24 incidents in September.

In addition, many of these incidents took place while residents were still at home, and usually occurred overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

In most cases, the suspects accessed a garage door opener stored in a vehicle parked in a residence driveway.

After entering the garage, the suspects gained entry into homes through unlocked doors or using spare keys they found stored in the garage.

In some cases, suspect entered residences through windows that were left open.  

Surrey RCMP are advising citizens to keep garage doors locked at all times, to not leave a garage door opener in vehicles, to choose a garage door opener with a rolling code system, to install a deadbolt on doors between garages and houses, to record serial numbers of all tools and valuables, and secure all doors and windows before going to sleep.

More tips are available at the Surrey RCMP website.

Anyone with information about these incidents or who witnesses anything suspicious in their neighbourhood is asked to call Surrey RCMP or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers.

Meanwhile, the New Westminster Police Department announced on October 16 that after an investigation with the assistance of Surrey RCMP, they have arrested man in the wake of a number of break-and-enters that took place in New Westminster this summer.

After officers used a search warrant at a residence on Royal Avenue in New Westminster, they found a large amount of stolen property and are currently working on identifying the items. Officers arrested 54-year-old Dale Rimmer of New Westminster, who is facing several charges.

Anyone who had items stolen this summer during break-ins is asked to contact their investigating officer to determine if any of the recovered items are theirs.