Police warn of potential rise in Residential Thefts targeting South-Asian Communities during Diwali

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 9, 2023  2:52 pm 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police would like to remind families celebrating Diwali to be mindful of the increased potential for break ins and thefts of valuables during this time of year.

In past years, several break ins to homes belonging to members of South-Asian communities have occurred around Diwali. As a result, investigators believe members of these communities may have been specifically targeted during the festive period.

Most of the break ins occurred during the daytime hours while the residents were not home and involved property theft of gold, jewelry and other valuables. Thieves tend to target houses that are empty, particularly if they are not very well-secured.

Taking basic steps to secure your home can help prevent crime. To help keep your property safe and home secure, follow these steps:

• Keep valuables locked in a safe or security box when not being used, and ensure jewelry is out of sight, and covered up whenever possible.  If you can, return jewelry to your safety deposit box between uses, to avoid having it in the residence for long periods of time.
• Keep keys, purses and wallets out of sight.
• Use a doorbell camera, internal camera and/or a monitored home alarm system.
• Ensure doors, windows, garages, gates and sheds are locked at all times. Keep window coverings closed when away from the home.
• Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting.
• Use timer switches in your home to control internal lights, radios and other simulated electronics.
• Take photos and keep a list of all valuable property in a safe place, including make, model description and value.
• When answering your door, ask the visitor to provide identification or a business card to validate who they say they are. When in doubt, keep them out.

Call police and report any suspicious vehicles or persons in your neighbourhood by calling 613-236-1222, ext.7300.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

If you witness a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section         

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366