Police see increase of home burglaries in Delaware

Police are reminding residents of tips to prevent home burglaries as they have reportedly increased recently in Delaware.

Over the past few weeks, Delaware State Police say they have seen a rise in home burglaries in Western Kent County, and other areas such as West Dover, Clayton and Smyrna.

Police say they became aware that an unknown number of suspects broken into at least five different homes taking various guns from owners, jewelry, electronic devices and cash. The break-ins reportedly happened mostly during the day when the residents were away from home.

Delaware State Police is therefore reminding residents to:

• Make your home look like someone is in there, and make it hard to break in.
• Lock your doors, even outside doors and windows.
• Leave lights on when you leave. If you are going to be away for a long time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
• Try to have your lawn mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them securely when needed.
• Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Put special locks on glass doors.
• Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives or better locks.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
• Report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1 immediately

If anyone has information on these burglaries, they are asked to call 302-698-8540, Delaware Crime Stoppers  at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”