RCMP detachments in the area are reminding the public living in the rural areas to be on the lookout for suspicious activity following several break and enters to properties.
"Since January 1, we have seen an unusual number of thefts and break and enters that have occurred,î said Sgt. Jeff Jacobson, Didsbury's detachment commander.
Several gravel pits in the Water Valley area have had items taken from them, as well as other rural properties.
Jacobson said in one instance, copper wire may have been taken and in another, vehicles were rummaged through and several items were stolen.
"This year, definitely there's been an increase in what we've seen in the rural area,î said Jacobson.
Residents should contact RCMP if they see anything suspicious, he said.
A lot of the crime that is occurring is being committed in the late-night or early-morning hours when people should not be at those sites, he said.
"Certainly, if there seems to be some traffic coming and going from those areas that seems unusual, give us a call and we'd love to make a patrol and nothing better than us catching people in the act,î he said.
Jacobson said there are several things rural residents can do to protect themselves from being a victim. One of them is to join rural crime watch, and another is to watch for anyone who may stop to ask for directions, as they may be trying to determine if anyone is home.
"It would certainly be worthwhile getting a description of the person, any vehicles they're driving and if possible, a plate from that vehicle. And then, if a neighbour is broken into, having that information can certainly assist the police investigation when we look at these types of things,î he said.
Jacobson said he could neither confirm nor deny whether any of this activity is organized, as these incidents are still under investigation.
In the rural area surrounding Sundre, the officers are noticing some property crime, but at about the same level as January 2012, said Cpl. Ryan Hodge.
"We still have some property crime out in the rural area and it seems that they're targeting that because they're less likely to be observed doing what they're doing. They're going into locations that are fairly remote or not being monitored,î said Hodge.
He said in the rural area, the RCMP is receiving reports of mainly machinery, copper wire and fuel thefts, and damage to mailboxes.
Aside from reporting suspicious activity, Hodge said officers are reminding people to remove valuables and light the area, if possible.
"We're asking if you have anything of value left out in an area where you can't watch it all the time, then you take the precautions to lock it up, remove keys, light the area if possible, to try to deter people,î he said.
"We're asking if you have anything of value left out in an area where you can't watch it all the time, then you take the precautions to lock it up, remove keys, light the area if possible, to try to deter people."Cpl. Ryan Hodge, Sundre RCMP
