Police in Toronto's northeast end are blaming an alarming increase in home invasions on the current sky-high price of gold.
Det. Eric Goldsmith, an officer in Scarborough's 42 Division, says 2011 has been the worst year for break-ins that he has ever seen.
As of May 12 there were 233 break-and-enters throughout 42 Division, up from 124 at the same time last year -- a 92 per cent increase.
"Largely we attribute that to the record price of gold," Goldsmith said on Wednesday.
"Very often they'll go along a street that backs onto a park or a ravine and they'll just go over fences into the backyard and into a house and the next and the next and the next," Goldsmith said.
Police say a small number of people are responsible for most of the recent break-ins. Earlier this month, police arrested four teens they say are responsible for stealing property from up to 50 different homes.
But when it comes to the unlawful resale of those items, police say their hands are often tied.
Current Ontario laws permit people to anonymously sell their belongings to pawnbrokers, meaning it can be very hard to trace what happens to stolen gold jewelry.
The centuries-old Pawnbrokers Act does not allow for electronic records that police can use to find stolen goods. The act also doesn't cover "cash for gold" businesses that have popped up across the province.
CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry reports that the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has been going after the government to create new legislation for a decade.
In a letter sent earlier this year, OACP advised all police services to "review the resources they commit to addressing the needs of victims in the area of property crime."
Police say that thieves will target homes they believe are empty and suggest leaving a light or radio on to deter visitors. They also recommend asking your neighbour to park in your driveway, and leaving your doors and windows unobstructed from view.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry
