According to AMA, compared to pre-pandemic levels, Alberta has seen a 26% decline in burglaries. (PHOTO: LNN on November 18, 2022)

By Sarah Jones/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Alberta sees decrease in break and enters: AMA report

Feb 16, 2023 | 11:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has released a new report that suggests break and enters have seen a decline in recent years.

As a result of the pandemic, many more people have been staying home, which AMA indicates could have a direct correlation to the amount of break and enters being committed.

According to AMA, compared to pre-pandemic levels, Alberta has seen a 26 per cent decline in burglaries.

In 2021, the most recent year for statistics, the province saw 24,235 reported burglaries. In 2019, 33,165 incidents were reported.

Alberta also experienced the country’s single largest drop in break and enters between 2020 and 2021, with a 17 per cent decline. Despite that drop, the province still has the second-highest number of these types of offences in Canada.

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As AMA outlines, with snowbirds and vacationers returning to their cold weather routines this year, so will the thieves, which could mean an increase in theft.

Norine Parker, Director of Claims for AMA Insurance said, “A few simple prevention steps can mean the difference between a property that’s protected and one that’s at risk. Returning to a burglarized house is no way to end a vacation.”

Some tips to protect your home from AMA include locking all windows and doors, installing an alarm system, keeping valuables hidden from plain sight and not hiding a key outside.

Albertans are also encouraged to have family members or friends check on their home if they are leaving for an extended period of time.