There has been an increase in house break-ins this year in the British Virgin Islands, according to police reports.
It is reported that recent burglaries showed that cash, jewelry, and tools were the most common items stolen.
Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) reported that the territory had 11 more “dwelling burglaries” in 2023 when compared to the same period last year.
“The main areas affected are within the Road Town area including Huntums Ghut, Horse path, Pasea Estate, Lower Estate, Free bottom, Main Street and McNamara. Perpetrators often gain entry to homes during the day through unsecured windows, especially those obscured from public view,” police said.
Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Acting Detective Chief Inspector Vernon Larocque shared that many homeowners often report that they have a window that needs repairing.
Noting that it can be utilized by criminals to obtain entrance to their homes, Larocque encourages residents to repair any inoperable locking mechanisms and secure all windows that provide for easy access.
“Burglars are looking for any weak points of entry. If there is not an easy way to enter, a burglar will likely move on,” Larocque added.
He also advised property owners to install home security cameras, stating that closed circuit television (CCTV) is accessible, inexpensive, and easy to install.
He shared that the footage can be stored remotely on the cloud and can be monitored in real-time from any location around the world. This he says can alert law enforcement while the offence is being committed.
Though he provided some burglary prevention tips, he stated that there are no foolproof methods for preventing robberies. However, he said that people can have peace of mind knowing that even if they are not at home, there are eyes watching and recording activities in and around their property.
