With the warmer weather upon us, Vancouver police are warning residents that the nice weather also brings out thieves.

“Windows are often left open to welcome fresh air into our homes during the warmer months, but you may be providing a criminal with easy access to your home,” media relations officer Const. Jason Doucette said in a press release. “It doesn’t matter if you are home or not, if it’s day or night, or what floor you live on — thieves are getting in through insecure windows and doors.”

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According to police, many break-ins in the spring and summer months show no signs of forced entry and the department is asking the public to help prevent break-ins by ensuring their doors and windows are secured, whether or not you’re at home.

The department typically sees an increase in break-ins to houses, basement suites and apartments as the temperature begins to rise. While there was an overall decrease this year in residential break-ins from April 1 to mid-May, there was also a 25 per cent increase in the number of incidents with no signs of forced entry — likely because a door or window was left unlocked and/or open without security features, Doucette said.

Police are encouraging residents to consider joining Block Watch and getting to know neighbours as ways to help prevent crime. Anyone curious about crime in their neighbourhood can check out GeoDash, the department’s interactive crime mapping tool.