West Vancouver police are looking for a group of thieves they believe are responsible for more than 40 residential break-ins during the last five months.

Sgt. Jeff Young said the number of break-ins is extremely high for West Vancouver and police spotted a pattern right away.

“In West Vancouver it’s really easy to see a pattern because we see so few break-ins. Basically we’ve seen a pattern where we believe the same group is responsible. It doesn’t appear to be one person,” he said.

The thefts have all taken place during the day and entry is usually gained through a second floor window by using ladders or patio furniture. Young said this is because some alarm systems are not set to go off if entry is gained on the second floor.

“The break-ins were fairly generic -- that’s what made them unique,” Young said.

From March to May there were around 20 break-ins, but since July 11 there has been a dramatic increase.

“In the past three weeks we’ve had 17 break-ins,” Young said. “We’re seeing one every day, whereas before we were seeing one a week. That is very high for us.”

The rash of break-ins are occurring in the central district of West Vancouver, west of 25th Street out to the 3300-block, below the highway.

Young blames the increase on how successful the group has been. “The increase is probably related to the fact that they’re being successful and they’re starting to get greedy. And with summer vacation people aren’t as vigilant locking their doors and windows,” he said.

The thieves appear to be quite sophisticated, watching their victims and waiting for them to leave the house, according to police.

“They’re smart guys and they appear to be watching people,” he said. “People have been gone for as little as an hour and a half and their houses have been broken into.”

The robbers are focusing on stealing small items such as jewelry and laptops -- high end items that are easy to carry.

Young said none of the thieves have been caught on security cameras and no victims have come in contact with them.

Police are encouraging residents to set alarms, secure ladders and tools out of sight, lock doors and windows and to notify neighbours if they plan to be out of town.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Vancouver police at 604-925-7300.